WASHINGTON, July 23 (APP): Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Pakistan needs peace and stability for progress and for that we must have good relationship with neighboring countries specially India and Afghanistan.
In question answer session after his address at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington today he said that Kashmir’s fate should be want the people of Kashmir want. “Whatever the situation is we will try to make peace with India, that’s why we released India Pilot soon after his arrest” said the Prime Minister.
He said Pakistan arms forces and government is on the same page, program and policies. We have done a lot of damage to our own country, I wanted Pakistan to stay neutral after 9/11, said the Prime Minister.
He said we should never interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs rather than we should facilitate the peace process in the region.
Answering to a question about Pakistan US relationship he said Pakistan should always have dignified relationship with US in future.
Prime Minister said that Taliban delegation wanted to meet me few days back but Afghanistan’s government did not want me to meet them. He said Pakistan has sincerely tried to bring Taliban to the negotiation table with the Afghan government representative. If we all work together the dream of realization of peace in Afghanistan can be achieved, he said.
There is no concept of strategic depth in Pakistan now. First time our government decided to work on Madrassah reforms. “We want to bring seminaries into mainstream”, said the Prime Minister.
To question about Iran and US relationship Prime Minister said Iran should not be pushed to a situation where there is a conflict; It could be a much bigger disaster then Iraq or Afghanistan.
Answer to a question about media freedom he said that Pakistani media is more free then British media, Social media helped us beat the elite mafia in the country. I am the first generation to grow up in an independent country, he said. To question regarding democracy in the country he said Pakistan needs extended run of Democracy.
VNS Islamabad
