Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani said on Saturday that any obstruction to Pakistan-India peace process would encourage and strengthen the hands of extremists and terrorist elements in the region.
Addressing members of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Sindh Chapter, he said it was in the interest of both countries and their peoples to carry forward the peace process.
Any move to obstruct the process would be tantamount to disappointing peace lobbies in both countries, he said. "The wishes of the people who cherish peace have to be respected." Senator Durrani said the Indian government was reacting emotionally rather than adopting a pragmatic approach in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist attacks that were strongly condemned by Pakistan and its leadership.
Noting that the launch of the composite dialogue in January 2004 was a mementoes development, he hope that New Delhi would show pragmatism and reconsider if there was any move to stall the peace process. Referring to the confidence-building measures that followed the initiation of peace dialogue, the minister said that the bold steps that should have been taken to move the peace process forward by the present Indian government were not.
He said despite unsubstantiated allegations by the other side Pakistan had remained committed to peace as it believed in resolving all issues across the table.
Senator Durrani said that people in both countries want peace and any attempt to stall the peace process would not go down well with the peace-loving people in India. He said India would have to move forward on the path peace and it has to retract from any step that might cloud the peace initiatives in the region.
The minister underlined the importance of peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people for durable peace and stability in the region. Pakistan's stand on Kashmir issue is very clear, he said.
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