Former Indian Prime Minister I K Gujral has expressed optimism regarding success of the ongoing peace talks between Pakistan and India.
While talking to newsmen in the 'Guest of Honour' programme of Lahore Press Club here on Friday the former Indian prime minister said that the process of restoration of normalcy between Pakistan and India has been strengthened by the present regimes in India and Pakistan.
Gujral said that it was not possible for anyone to give time schedule regarding success of ongoing talks. He said it was a matter of satisfaction that both governments 'are showing wisdom' to resolve the conflicting issues. He said that continuation of talks between Pakistan and India was a very good sign for the whole region.
He said that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during his recent meeting with President Pervez Musharraf in New York had asked him to come up with a viable solution for resolution of controversial issues between the two countries. "Musharraf promised to respond after thorough consideration, and India is awaiting his reply", he added.
He said that all conflicting issues between Pakistan and India could be resolved in an amicable way. When asked to give his comments regarding present situation of infiltration in Occupied Kashmir, he declined to give any reply.
Opposing the idea of third-party mediation on Kashmir, he said the idea was not practicable "even it is done by the United Nations".
He said that Nawaz Sharif was sincere in promoting bilateral relations between Pakistan and India. After conducting nuclear tests, Nawaz had made a telephonic call seeking strengthening of relations between the two countries. He said that Nawaz Sharif identified eight areas for composite dialogue.
Regarding role of army in Pakistan's politics, he said he is a democratic man and likes democracy.
He said that killing of people in Kashmir, Pakistan, Iraq and other areas of the world could not be justified. He asked the legal community of South Asia to raise voice against US aggression in Iraq.
He admitted human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir. However, he said that there was no place in the world in which human rights situation was ideal.
Most of the recommendations prepared by Urdu committee of his government had been implemented, he said. Maulana Azad National Urdu University has also been established in Hyderabad in which around 35,000 students are on the rolls.
He supported the idea of slashing defence budgets of the two countries.
Gujral is currently on a visit to Pakistan to participate in a two-day conference of South Asian Human Rights (SAHR). He is scheduled to participate in various functions during his stay here.
On Saturday, he will attend functions of a private Law College and English Speaking Union. He is also scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri before his departure home via Wagha on Sunday.
Earlier, addressing members of Lahore High Court Bar Association, I K Gujral said that the Kashmir issue "is on today's agenda" and both countries could not move ahead without resolving this issue.
He expressed the hope that Kashmir issue would be resolved sooner or later. As a gesture of goodwill, both countries must slash their defence budgets. He said both countries should use their resources for the betterment and prosperity of people. He said that people of the region could gain maximum benefit through good relations. He said "it is not our fate to fight forever", and added that for success of dialogues "we should not pinpoint past mistakes".