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‘Indo-Pak talks sans Kashmir won’t deliver’

* PM says nation wants peace by eliminating terrorists forever
* Gilani says now is not the time for talks with Taliban

LAHORE: Pakistan has always wanted cordial relations with all neighbouring countries, but it is not possible to have peace with India until the Kashmir issue is resolved, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Sunday.

“I want to say again that Pakistan has always wanted to have cordial relations with all neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan, India and Iran, but talks between India and Pakistan without resolution of the Kashmir issue would be fruitless,” he told reporters after offering condolences for the death of former Jamaat-e-Islami chief Mian Tufail Muhammad. He said a solution to the Kashmir issue was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, Online reported.

Commenting on the drone attacks in the northern areas, the premier said they were an attack on the integrity of Pakistan and were forcing tribesmen to join extremist elements. He said the US was working towards understanding Pakistan’s view on the drone attacks.

Ending the threat: Separately, after offering fateha at the grave of Dr Sarfaraz Naeemi, he said all anti-Pakistan elements were terrorists and had no religion or geographical boundaries. To questions about Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s statement on dialogue with the Taliban, the premier said that while Fazl was a coalition partner of the government, his views on the Taliban were a personal statement. However, he added, the entire nation wanted peace by eliminating the terrorists forever.

No time: He said the Pakistan Army is taking decisive action against the Taliban in FATA and other tense areas, adding this was not the time for dialogue with extremists. “Our army is fighting very efficiently against the cowards who strike through ambushes. These anti-social and anti-Pakistan elements are working on foreign agendas,” he added.

To another question, Gilani said the division of a province was a constitutional matter and those aspiring for it could raise the issue before parliament or at the platform of their respective parties. He said all provinces, including Punjab, would get their water share under the Indus River System Authority in line with the 1991 water accord.

The prime minister said he had announced a civil award for Dr Sarfaraz Naeemi, APP reported. He said clerics had played a prominent role in Pakistan’s formation, and should come forward to help Pakistan. agencies

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