PM Shehbaz attributes the settlement of the Kashmir dispute to India.
Without resolving the Kashmir problem, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that Pakistan and India cannot have a lasting peace and have bilateral relations.
The prime minister criticized New Delhi’s strategy while speaking at an Overseas Pakistanis Convention here and encouraged India to behave more like a cooperative neighbor than a hostile one.
“Anyone who thinks that relations between India and Pakistan can be formed without resolving the Kashmir issue is living in a delusion.”
Noting that the two countries had spent billions of dollars on conflicts that could have been used for public development and welfare, Prime Minister Shehbaz underlined that Pakistan wants to have an equal conversation with India.
“India and Pakistan are neighbors; we need to learn to coexist.” To be clear, however, normalization of relations is contingent upon the resolution of Kashmir. “The Kashmiri people’s blood will not be in vain,” he continued.
Honoring Pakistanis abroad
Prime Minister Shehbaz praised the contributions of Pakistanis living abroad, especially those in the UK, and referred to them as an essential element of the country’s economy. He disclosed that, just this year, Pakistanis living abroad have remitted $48.5 billion home.
He gave the gathering his word that the government would continue to speak for Pakistanis living abroad and protect their rights and interests in international fora.
More than 64,000 civilians have been slain in Israeli aggression against Palestinians, according to the prime minister, who also said that access to food, water, and medical supplies has been purposefully cut off.
Later in the day, the prime minister’s “historic and passionate” speech will be televised, Atta Tarar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, informed reporters. He pointed out that the prime covered a wide variety of topics, including as Pakistan’s military activities, economic difficulties, and diplomatic stance.
UN visit
On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz is expected to leave London for the United States. On September 26, he will speak to the UN General Assembly and take part in a special session on Gaza, where he is anticipated to restate Pakistan’s position on Palestine and regional harmony.