Beijing, November 1
Stressing that Indo-Pak dialogue “must start,” Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said that he does not expect any immediate major breakthrough in bilateral ties.“We are not expecting an immediate breakthrough or solution. But meaningful dialogue must start,” General Musharraf told ‘China Daily’ newspaper prior to his five-day visit to the Communist country beginning today.
“I would like to see relations between Pakistan and India improve at a faster pace,” President Musharraf was quoted in a front-paged article.
“We are looking forward to holding the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Islamabad next January. We hope for positive results,” he said when asked to comment on Islamabad’s relations with New Delhi.
Asked to comment on India’s close ties with the United States, General Musharraf said it did not affect Islamabad’s relations with Washington. “US relations with any other country will have no effect on our relations with the US,” he said.
“Since the terrible events of September 11, Pakistan- US relations have gained a new vigour,” he said.
Commenting on his visit to China and Sino-Pakistani relations, he was quite eloquent on the ‘all-weather’ ties between Islamabad and Beijing.
“I am looking forward to my talks with (Chinese) president Hu Jintao and premier Wen Jiabao to discuss with them bilateral matters and exchange views on regional and international issues,” he said.
Asserting that Pakistan will not allow its territory to be used by terrorists, President Pervez Musharraf has said that if the world’s most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden is caught in the country, he would be extradited. “If he is caught, we will deal with him according to our law, which includes provision for extradition,” President Musharraf said without elaborating.
— PTI
