Daily Times

Sir: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s statement that Pakistan is waiting for the day when Kashmir becomes its part is not only a rhetoric or an aspiration but a reflection of the policy of state for the last seven decades. The people who are criticising Prime Minister’s statement do not seem sincere with Pakistan. There may be difference of opinion but to disagree with the policy of government on Kashmir issue is nothing more than criticism for the sake of criticism.

One thing needs to be clarified is that state and government both are same things. State is a geographical territory governed by an organisation called government. So, the stance of government is the policy of the state of Pakistan. Pakistan always aspires the normalisation of relations with India but India always backs out of its commitment on one pretext or the other.

The Kashmir issue is never on the back burner in Pakistan’s foreign policy. Pakistan has always kept this issue first and rest of the issues with India are linked only with Kashmir issue. Pakistan has been very clear on its stance over the right of self-determination given to Kashmiris according to the UN resolution while India is determined in declaring Kashmir its integral part.

The need of the hour is that India should review its inflexible policy of declaring Kashmir its integral part and let the people decide their fate. As far as Pakistan’s internal state of affairs is concerned, all political parties should ponder over the grave issue faced by Pakistan due to politics of agitation. We have to concentrate on one point agenda of national interest. We have to forget the petty issue keeping in view the issues of larger interest.

NAZIA JABEEN

Lahore