Consensus throughout all institutions in Pakistan for wholesome ties with India, says former Pakistan PM Kakar

How do you see the go to of Exterior Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to Pakistan, the primary in 9 years by an Indian International Minister, and the truth that he has come for an SCO assembly?

I might hyperlink it with the previous International Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s presence for the SCO (International Ministers) multilateral assembly in India [in May 2023]. I feel that has been reciprocated. It’s a multilateral occasion, and each side perceive that it’s not a bilateral engagement, however on the similar time, such moments, they often create historical past. They often give you a chance to hook up with issues which, in regular circumstances, most likely the events which have taken excessive positions wouldn’t consider. So let’s hope that one thing would come for the area. We have to know what’s going on within the thoughts of India intellectually? What’s going on within the thoughts of the Pakistani political institution, the opposite gamers who’re stakeholders in each nations? Let’s give that an opportunity.

What, in response to you, is on the thoughts of Pakistan’s navy institution, particularly given the LoC ceasefire since 2021? 

I consider actually, there’s consensus on the Pakistani facet: in relation to India, everybody needs a superb relationship, the navy political institution, even Pakistan’s proper, non secular political entities, the Jamaat-e-Islami. All of them agree that we should always have wholesome, constructive stability, equal or equitable relations. Does it translate into [similiar sentiments] in India?

Some would argue that the ball is definitely in Pakistan’s court docket — it was Pakistan that cancelled commerce with India, and stopped street and rail hyperlinks in 2019. Do you assume there shall be a rollback of these selections now?

Pakistan’s exterior safety is paramount — and clearly there shall be a response to any risk. Now we have spent some 5 a long time on our safety doctrine improvement, enhancing our typical functionality; it’s a practical expectation. 

Do you assume that a few of the people-to-people transport hyperlinks could possibly be restored anytime quickly?

Who would argue towards the interplay between widespread individuals? I might like to see that taking place, however to my thoughts once I see Indian diaspora and Pakistani diaspora interacting for final seven a long time within the West and the remainder of the world, I ponder. Has it introduced us any nearer? I feel we needs to be extra lifelike that people-to-people ties might not really assist resolve points by themselves when there are such entrenched positions on each side, and the problem is the right way to recover from this.