On Pak National Day, Islamabad seeks ‘peaceful’ ties with India

New Delhi: On the occasion of its National Day, Pakistan on Friday said it is sincere about fulfilling the aspirations of Mohammed Ali Jinnah in turning the country into an “economically strong democratic Islamic country” and sought “good and peaceful relations” with India and other South Asian neighbours.
Mahmood, who came back to India last night, days after he was called back for consultations amid raging row between India and Pakistan over harassment of diplomats, said such issues affect the relation between the two countries.
Tallking to reporters here he said”I discussed this issue (alleged harassment of Pakistani diplomats in India) with our government. We want to sort out this issue as soon as possible because it affects the relations between the countries,” the Pakistani envoy said on the sidelines of an event organised to mark ‘Pakistan National Day’.
Replying to another question he said the National Day is being celebrated in a befitting manner to commemorate the Lahore Resolution passed on March 23, 1940 and the adoption of the first constitution of Pakistan after ‘partition’ in 1950s.
“In the context of foreign relations, Pakistan wants to maintain a peaceful neighbourhood relation with South Asian countries,” he said, adding therefore, Islamabad has sought for a good and peaceful relation with India.
He hoped there would be space for diplomacy and efforts to begin dialogue which helps the two countries resolve their differences and a move towards bilateral relations.
“In the context of foreign relations especially in South Asia, Pakistan continues to follow the policy of peaceful neighbourhood and in that context, Pakistan has sought peaceful and good neighbourly relations with all countries in South Asia including India,” he said.He said that Pakistan seeks such relation on the basis of the equality and mutual respect.
“We have always sought solution of all outstanding disputes through dialogue and we believe that all outstanding issues including Kashmir if they are resolved through dialogue, it will usher in an era of peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia,” the Pakistani envoy said.
He also said the 2018 marks 70 years of India and Pakistan after Independence in 1947, and it is important to reflect how the last 70 years have gone and resolve that the next 70 years would be different.
At the function in Pakistan High Commission here, the messages from Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi were read out, he said.
This year is also crucial politically, he suggested and added there is hope for “peaceful transfer of power” after the general elections in that country.