Pakistan PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi says war with India, not an option
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that war is not an option with India.
Addressing a conference on 'Future of Pakistan 2017' at the London School of Economics' South Asia Centre, Abbasi said, "Until Kashmir is resolved, Pak-India relations will remain tense. But war is not an option."
Until Kashmir is resolved, Pak-India relations will remain tense. But war is not an option: Pak PM Abbasi #PakPMatLSE @lsesupakdev
— SouthAsia@LSE (@SAsiaLSE) November 4, 2017
With regards to Kashmir talks are the only way forward: Pak PM Abbasi #PakPMatLSE @lsesupakdev @pid_gov
— SouthAsia@LSE (@SAsiaLSE) November 4, 2017
After his 35-minute-long address, the prime minister responded to a range of questions on topics from Afghanistan, civil-military ties, disqualification Nawaz Sharif, to relations with India and the Kashmir issue.
On a question about "independent Kashmir", the Prime Minister said "the idea is often floated around but has no reality," reported Geo TV.
"There is no support for the demand for independent Kashmir," he purported.
No support for the concept of independent Kashmir, in either of the two countries. There is no basis in reality: Pak PM Abbasi #PakPMatLSE
— SouthAsia@LSE (@SAsiaLSE) November 4, 2017
Abbasi portrayed a positive image of Pakistan overall by remarking that civil-military relations in Pakistan are evolving.
Our civil military relations are evolving. It has been tenuous in the past but is evolving: Pak PM #PakPMatLSE @lsesupakdev @pid_gov
— SouthAsia@LSE (@SAsiaLSE) November 4, 2017
He also underscored the position of the women in Pakistan by stating that they are far ahead of men.
Women of Pak today are far ahead of men.
— SouthAsia@LSE (@SAsiaLSE) November 4, 2017
We do have issues but there is commitment to resolve that: Pak PM #PakPMatLSE @lsesupakdev
Abbasi also said that the Pakistan-U.S. bilateral ties must not be defined by Afghanistan alone.
-ANI
First published: 7 November 2017, 10:51 IST