Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed his willingness to participate in “critical and honest” discussions with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on “burning points like Kashmir.”
Sharif’s Comments
In an interview with Al Arabiya, Sharif urged PM Modi to sit at the discussion table to “make progress” towards peace rather than “quarrel” and “waste time and resources.” Accordingly, he extended support for both countries to utilise their skilled labour for economic growth and securing peace in the region.
Declaring that Islamabad “learnt [its] lesson,” Sharif said that Pakistan’s three wars (1965, 1971, and 1999) with India only caused “extra distress, poverty, and unemployment.” In addition, he raised the alarm about devastation that will be caused in case of a war between India and Pakistan — nuclear powers that are “armed to the teeth.”
However the Prime Minister has repeatedly stated on record that talks can only take place after India has reversed its illegal action of August 5, 2019. Without India's revocation of this step, negotiations are not possible. 2/3
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) January 17, 2023
In this regard, he extended his support to “stay in peace,” adding that Islamabad needed to focus on countering poverty and protecting health and employment instead of expending its resources on arms and ammunition.
However, Sharif lamented the human rights violations orchestrated by the Indian government in Kashmir, including the revocation of its special status in August 2019. He said that these acts must stop for New Delhi to reassure the global community of its commitment to peace with Pakistan.
Pakistan brought up the Kashmir issue in several multilateral forums, including the UN and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Last month, Pakistani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar also vowed to “let the world know” about India’s “nefarious objectives” in sponsoring terrorist activities.
Shocked on this statement of Shahbaz Sharif, our stand is Modi Janta must reverse constitutional position of Kashmir to its original, only then Pak ll negotiate begging for talks is not Pak policy we strongly reject this approach Shahbaz Sharif cannot be allowed to sell Kashmir https://t.co/gA1ZiSh42Z
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) January 17, 2023
Pakistan’s Security and Economic Conundrum
Sharif’s comments have come against the backdrop of Pakistan struggling to deal with a surge in terrorist attacks, which have become more frequent since the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) declared the end of its ceasefire with the government.
The declining foreign reserves and foreign direct investment flows are adding dual pressure on the government.
This has enhanced discontent among the citizens, who are distressed by rising prices, commodity shortages, and deteriorating security conditions.
To this end, while writing for The Express Tribune, foreign policy analyst Kamran Yousaf recommended that Pakistan try to mediate the Kashmir issue with India, which has been flourishing even as Islamabad struggles to mitigate successive economic and political issues. He reiterated retired army chief General Bajwa’s call to put the issue on the “backburner” and instead focus on domestic matters.