Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said Pakistan and India need to accelerate efforts towards developing better relations in all fields by resolving their disputes. In an interview with Khaleej Times the Prime Minister said Pakistan's relations with India had progressed and there had been improvement in economic relation, travel between the two countries and people-to-people contact.
However, both the countries needed to accelerate their efforts for developing better relations in all the fields by first resolving their old disputes including Kashmir, he added.
Shaukat said Pakistan and India had been engaged in peace process but historically their relations were mired in conflict due to the issue of Kashmir.
"And now because of the composite dialogue, this process is moving forward and we believe that our relations with India will result in sustainable peace, once the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is resolved".
He said the true potential of Pakistan-India relations could be realised with full trade and investment, but added that it would be possible when the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir was addressed and resolved. "Peace in South Asia will allow to develop a leverage of its true potential of relations between our two countries," he further stated.
About the proposed Pakistan-Iran-India gas pipeline, the PM said Pakistan's high economic growth had increased its needs for energy. "We are exploring the import of gas via pipeline from Qatar, Iran and Turkmenistan and import of LNG from the region".
He hoped the pipeline would create linkages and inter- dependencies and create a better environment between the two countries.
Asked about US concerns over project, he said every country had to pursue its national interest.
On India-US relations specially with respect to their recently-concluded new defence framework agreement, the prime minister said relations between the countries were not linked with relationship to a third country.
"This new co-operation between India and the United States is for the supply of civilian reactors for the generation of energy. We also have a programme to produce about 8percent of all our total energy resources from nuclear power. We have several reactors working and more are on the construction," he said.
Strong, stable and vibrant Afghanistan was good for itself, good for Pakistan and good for the world, Aziz said. "We have very special relations and that is why we provided shelter to a large number of Afghan refugees over the years," he said and added still 3.9 million Afghan refugees were living in Pakistan.
The PM urged the world community to increase efforts to accelerate the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
He said, "Pakistan supports the government of President Hamid Karzai and under his leadership Afghanistan could develop and prosper".
He said Pakistan had extended assistance totalling $200 million to Afghanistan for various projects that would benefit its people.
He termed his recent visit to Afghanistan as very fruitful and said Pakistan was working with the government of President Karzai to improve security environment there. "We are co-operating in many fields of mutual interest".
When asked about the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden, he said the truth was that nobody had any idea where he was because if anybody knew, the government would verify the story and take action. "All reports about his (Laden) whereabouts are speculative," the Prime Minister said.
He termed the recent incidents of bombings in UK as unfortunate and condemned them as Pakistan was opposed to terrorism in any form. "Islam is a religion of peace, moderation, faith and harmony and we believe in settling disputes through dialogue, discussion and amity".
Nevertheless, he said that linking any incident in UK to Pakistan was far-fetched and simplistic because those who carried out bombings lived in Britain for generations as was proven in subsequent investigations.
Asked whether these incidents would have any impact on foreign investment in Pakistan, Aziz said that Pakistan offered improved security situation for attracting foreign investment.
He pointed out that seminaries in Pakistan were performing a useful role in providing religious education. However, he said if there was any evidence that these schools were violating the laws, they would be dealt with accordingly.
"We are going through a process of registration of religious schools and mainstreaming them to produce students who have the knowledge of all disciplines for a prosperous future".
The prime minister said the local bodies election were being held in three phases from September 03 to 29 across Pakistan.
He said it was the first step to strengthen the political process because it gave the ability to solve problems locally to men, women and minorities to have say in the day to day management of their affairs.
"We are committed to holding free and fair elections under the code of ethics decided by the Election Commission of Pakistan," he said.
The prime minister said Pakistan was a functioning democracy where there was a vibrant opposition, active political parties and a free Press which was essential for the development of any society.
"Pakistan has never such freedom of expression and the government encourages constructive and healthy criticism because this makes a better society," he said.
Shaukat Aziz maintained that the people were also seeing a proliferation of electronic media which was equally enjoying big freedom of expression that was contributing towards a healthier society.
The general elections were scheduled for 2007 and the government of Pakistan Muslim League (PML) and its coalition partners were working hard to improve the quality of life of the people.
Pakistan was pleased that the OIC countries and the UAE were aggressively looking towards Pakistan for better destination for investment.
"We will be attracting investment from Middle East to Pakistan because of proximity and attractive returns and transparent environment."
About overseas Pakistanis, he said they were playing a major role and were remitting roughly $4 billion every year.
"Overseas Pakistanis have come and bought banks, cement companies, airlines and expanding ties with Pakistan because they see an opportunity to invest, to grow and making profit. Diaspora of Pakistan overseas will play an increasingly important role," he said.