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New turn in Pak-India relations after Indian polls: Kasuri
New turn in Pak-India relations after Indian polls: Kasuri


LAHORE: (Wednesday, January 9, 2019): Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri has said that Pak-India relations will not remain frozen and we will have to wait for new turn in relations between the two countries till upcoming general elections in India. He said that there was need to promote people-to-people contact for improving relations and security situation in the region. He was addressing international conference on ‘Democracy, Governance and Security: Perspectives from South Asia’ organized by Punjab University Department of Political Science and Centre for South Asian Studies in collaboration with Lahore Centre for Peace Research at Al Raazi Hall here on Wednesday. Former Chief Minister Punjab Prof Dr Hassan Askari Rizvi, Former Foreign Secretary Shamshad Ahmad Khan, Dean Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences Prof Dr Umbreen Javed, Dean Faculty of Arts Prof Dr Iqbal Chawla, scholars from different countries, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion. Addressing the conference, Mr Kasuri said that India was the biggest country in SAARC region and without his positive role, South Asian nations could not prosper. He said that the integrity, development and security of the region depended upon Pak-India relations. He said that Kashmir issue could be resolved through dialogue only and we must seek such solution in which there is win-win situation for Kashmiris, Pakistan and India. He said that he would soon write another book on Pakistan India relations and role of Army in Urdu language so that people of Pakistan could clearly understand what the real picture was. He said that there was a wave of hatred among youth in Indian Held Kashmir against India and it would prove a game changer. He said that international community did not speak on issues unless it had its own interest. Prof Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi said that technology had got much importance in governance sector in the 21st century. He said that there was need to make SAARC functional for development of the region. He said that roads, railways and pipelines had much importance in development of the region. He said that it was the time of promoting partnership in international relations. Highlighting the diversified nature of the South Asian region, he emphasized the need to work on enhancing smart power regardless of the sizes of country.

In his speech, Mr Shamshad Ahmed Khan mentioned the need to realize the nexus between democracy, government and security and how each was linked with and ensured by effective leadership. He said that quality of leadership was the only way to create positive image of a country. He also emphasized the role of masses in bringing change within a state.
Talking to media, Prof Niaz Ahmed said that such conferences would provide a direction to resolve regional disputes. He said that the leadership of Pakistan and India should sit together and resolve all the disputes. Prof Dr Umbreen Javed said that such conferences, seminars and lectures were the regular features of Department of Political Science and Centre for South Asian Studies. She emphasized that the objective behind such academic events was to trigger intellectual debate on the issues which concern Pakistan and the region as a whole.