ISLAMABAD: In the first interview by a senior Pakistani official to an Indian news outlet since India's unilateral and illegal actions on 5th August 2019, SAPM Moeed Yusuf spoke with India's renowned journalist Karan Thapar on Tuesday, saying that Pakistan stood firmly for peace in the region through dialogue but New Delhi's draconian policies towards Kashmiris had made talks impossible.

He reiterated Prime Minister Imran Khan's stance that if India took one step forward, Pakistan would take two steps forward.

He outlined pre-conditions necessary for any dialogue and said that New Delhi must release all political prisoners in IIOJK, lift the military siege, reverse the domicile bill and stop all human rights violations against Kashmiris before any dialogue could begin.

He reminded Indian audiences that today, even pro-India Kashmiri politicians have publicly admitted that no one in IIOJK was willing to live under Indian occupation anymore.

Dr Yusuf emphasized that Kashmiris remain the principal party in the dispute according to Pakistan and their wishes and aspirations should be addressed in any dialogue.

Drawing a contrast between Pakistan and India, Dr Yusuf said that Prime Minister Imran Khan's government was dedicated to pursuing economic security and connectivity for the prosperity of Pakistan and the region, but policy makers in New Delhi remained blind sighted by Hindutva ideology.

He said India had lost the neighbourhood because of the expansionist policies of the BJP government, while Pakistan was pursuing peace in its neighbourhood.

Responding to Indian allegations about terrorism, Dr Yusuf said that Pakistan had facilitated investigations in all cases pending in courts but India was delaying the investigations by not providing evidence in the case.-PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020