AP, Islamabad :
Amid the prevailing tensions following the disappearance of a former Pakistani military officer in Nepal and the subsequent death sentence awarded to Indian spy Kulbushan Jadhav, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday appeared to strike a reconciliatory tone on relations with neighbouring countries, including India.
Addressing the passing-out parade at the Asghar Khan PAF Academy in Risalpur, the prime minister noted that Pakistan was a peace-loving country and wanted friendly relations with its neighbours.
“Cooperation rather than conflict and shared prosperity instead of suspicion are the hallmark[s] of our policy,” he remarked. However, he warned that the country’s desire for peaceful coexistence should not be mistaken for weakness.
The PM’s remarks, tantamount to offering friendship and asking “neighbours” – believed to be a veiled reference to India – to shun mistrust, appear particularly poignant in the midst of the frenzy following Jadhav’s sentencing to death by a military tribunal.
“Pakistan, for its part, will never hesitate to extend the hand of friendship to all and shall never waver from returning goodwill with even more goodwill,” Mr Sharif said.
The prime minister gave a similar impression in an interview to state-run APP, where he expressed the hope that the Trump administration would help resolve the Kashmir dispute.
Sharif hopes Trump administration will help resolve Kashmir dispute
“We wish to see progress towards the resolution of the Kashmir dispute, which is the biggest hurdle in the way of peace and development in the region and the whole world, including the US, is fully aware of this reality,” APP quoted the PM as saying.
Amid the prevailing tensions following the disappearance of a former Pakistani military officer in Nepal and the subsequent death sentence awarded to Indian spy Kulbushan Jadhav, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday appeared to strike a reconciliatory tone on relations with neighbouring countries, including India.
Addressing the passing-out parade at the Asghar Khan PAF Academy in Risalpur, the prime minister noted that Pakistan was a peace-loving country and wanted friendly relations with its neighbours.
“Cooperation rather than conflict and shared prosperity instead of suspicion are the hallmark[s] of our policy,” he remarked. However, he warned that the country’s desire for peaceful coexistence should not be mistaken for weakness.
The PM’s remarks, tantamount to offering friendship and asking “neighbours” – believed to be a veiled reference to India – to shun mistrust, appear particularly poignant in the midst of the frenzy following Jadhav’s sentencing to death by a military tribunal.
“Pakistan, for its part, will never hesitate to extend the hand of friendship to all and shall never waver from returning goodwill with even more goodwill,” Mr Sharif said.
The prime minister gave a similar impression in an interview to state-run APP, where he expressed the hope that the Trump administration would help resolve the Kashmir dispute.
Sharif hopes Trump administration will help resolve Kashmir dispute
“We wish to see progress towards the resolution of the Kashmir dispute, which is the biggest hurdle in the way of peace and development in the region and the whole world, including the US, is fully aware of this reality,” APP quoted the PM as saying.
