Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif open to holding talks with India, says war not an option
Shehbaz Sharif
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday (August 1) said Islamabad is willing to talk and discuss "serious matters" if the "neighbour" also does so. In an obvious reference to India, Sharif also noted that "war is no more an option".
Sharif talked about the ties with Indian while addressing the inaugural session of the Pakistan Minerals Summit in Islamabad on August 1.
This is the first-ever mineral summit in the country and its aim is reportedly to explore the vast potential of the minerals industry.
Sharif said, "We have nothing against anybody, we have to look after our own self and build our nation. Even with our neighbour, we are prepared to talk provided that they are serious in discussing matters."
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"War is no more an option. Pakistan is a nuclear power — (these capabilities are) not as an aggressor but for defence purposes," he added.
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Sharif further said that "we (India and Pakistan) have fought three wars in the last 75 years, which has generated more poverty, unemployment and lack of resources".
"God forbid if there is a nuclear flashpoint, who will live to tell what happened? This is not the option," he said.
Since partition in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars - 1947, 1965 and 1999 - which led to a complex and largely hostile relationship between the two nuclear powers.
There have been several instances when tensions escalated at the India–Pakistan border, which is one of the most militarised international boundaries in the world.
Shehbaz has said that it is "equally important that our neighbour understands that we cannot become normal unless abnormalities are removed and serious issues are addressed through peaceful and meaningful discussions".
Pakistan Minerals Summit
While talking about the minerals deposit in Pakistan, Sharif said that Pakistan has failed to avail benefits despite being home to mineral deposits of $6 trillion.
He said, "We cannot blame anyone but ourselves" and also added that the nation can "achieve our past glory" if it takes the required steps.
(With inputs from agencies)
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