Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan speaking at the ceremony for the Kartarpur corridor said that the Pakistan army and all the political parties in Pakistan were on the “same page” on the Indo-Pakistan peace outreach and said Pakistan would respond with two steps to every single step which India took for peace.
While speaking on the Kashmir dispute, saying there was no reason for the neighbours to not resolve it. He said “We can’t go to war as we will all lose. What’s the next best option? We have to engage.”
He stated “If Germany and France can live together, why can’t us? I keep hearing from Indians that Pakistan army doesn’t want good relations with India. I want to say that the army is on the same page as the government and all political parties in seeking better ties. We want to move forward and have a civilised relationship. I hope we don’t have to wait for (Navjot Singh) Sidhu to become PM to have good relations with India.”
Strong leadership and determination were required to move ahead in ties, said Mr Khan and further added that “We lack the strength to say we will improve ties no matter what.”
He stated that next year the best of facilities will be provided to Sikh pilgrims at Kartarpur Sahib as it is the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. “I am happy to see the joy on Sikh faces. If I were to explain to my Muslim brothers and sisters, imagine that you are standing 4-km outside Medina and cannot go in, and you are then given the chance to go. That is the happiness I see here.