No anti-India remarks, Nawaz Sharif warns ministers

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has stopped his ministers and aides from giving anti-India statements as the two nations move towards peace, official sources said.

A close aide of Mr Sharif said that ministers and senior officials had been stopped from issuing statements which could damage the peace process.

“There will only be statements that encourage the dialogue process rather than digging up the past. The PM has asked close aides and Cabinet members to promote peace,” he said.

The close aide said the PM was optimistic about better ties with India which would benefit the whole region.

“He is annoyed by some statements from India that New Delhi only wanted to discuss Azad Kashmir (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) in talks but understands this is not their government’s policy,” he added. Mr Sharif, the source said, wanted to give top priority to Kashmir, terrorism and trade when the two sides sit across the table to discuss peace. Another official said the PM and the military leadership were on the same page to make peace with India.

“There is no difference of opinion and both agree that there should be no compromise on the stated position on key issues,” he added.

Analysts say it was a positive development that Pakistan and India had agreed to resume the comprehensive dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues.