Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Former Foreign Minister Sardar Asif Ahmad Ali has said that it is good development that India admits that they do not have evidence so far on direct complicity of Pakistan government or its agencies in the Pathankot attack.

While talking to Daily Times on the recent statement of India’s probe chief, Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Sharad Kumar, Sardar Asif said that India blamed Pakistan without any proof. But, now India realized that it was not wise decision.

He said earlier both countries blamed each other when any unfortunate incidents of terrorism happened, they did tit for tat.

Sardar Asif, who remained Foreign Minister of Pakistan from 1993 to 1996, said that there should be resolution of all outstanding problems between both countries through peaceful means and dialogue.

He said that now it is time that blame game from both sides should be stopped.

He said that this is first time that positive thing came on front after blaming Pakistan, now India is saying that Pakistan was not involved in Pathankot attack. “It is good development. Now, let’s hope for resumption of Secretary level talks between Pakistan and India”, former Foreign Minister said.

Akram Zaki, former Foreign Secretary said that it is habit of India to always blame Pakistan, without evidences. Pakistan government is also equally responsible that it also came under pressure. He said that government of Pakistan took a correct step by ordering inquiry into the Pathankot incident, but it should not have registered cases against the Pakistani citizens only on the accusations leveled by Indian government that they were involved in terror attack. India wants hegemony in the region.

Zaki said that now India has said for holding talks on the matter only under pressure but in reality it is not sincere for it. He suggested government of Pakistan to give priority to relations with Iran and Pakistan badly handled Kulbhushan Yadav episode during the Iranian President visit to Pakistan.

He said still Iran and Russia want better relations with Pakistan. Now, Pakistani government should give priority to relations with Iran and Russia and already Pakistan relations with China are excellent.

Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Sharad Kumar on Thursday in a TV interview said that no evidence to the effect that Pakistan government or Pakistani agency were behind this attack has been found.