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- Geelani should assure nation whether there was any deal in return for resumption of dialogue process: Nawa-e-Waqt
- Agreement to restore stalled dialogue process is big breakthrough: Mashriq
- India and Pakistan should expedite implementation process of 16th SAARC Declaration: Azkar
- Pakistan Pulse
Nawa-e-Waqt, Editorial, May 1, 2010
Geelani should assure nation whether there was any deal in return for resumption of dialogue process: Nawa-e-Waqt
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s meeting with his Pakistani counterpart in Thimpu during the 16th SAARC Summit has generated lots of debate in Pakistan’s vernacular press. Most of the leading Dailies have written editorials on this issue. An editorial in the hardline Nawa-e-Waqt Urdu Daily notes that “India’s willingness to agree for a composite dialogue on all issues including Kashmir and water and that too without any preconditions puzzles us all… Till yesterday, India’s attitude was different and it did not spare one of its low grade officials for having liberal attitude towards Pakistan. She was called back by New Delhi and was arrested there.” The Daily reiterates that “it is difficult to believe that Indian Prime Minister who retracted his statements after Sharm-el-Sheikh has agreed to discuss issues like Kashmir and water. So, the Pakistani Prime Minister should brief the parliament and nation about his talks with the Indian Prime Minister and should inform us whether there was any deal on national interest in return of resumption of dialogue.”
As regards resolution of the Kashmir issue, there can be no alternative to implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir. If India really realizes the importance of peace in the region it should conduct a plebiscite as per the aspiration of Kashmiris and resolve the issue on that basis. After that we will have nothing but friendship with India, says the Daily. But “if India continues to equate Kashmiri’s Jihad with terrorism its wish for ‘Aman Ki Asha’ will not come true. Kashmir will remain India’s integral part and our target,” the editorial concluded.
Mashriq, Editorial, May 1, 2010
Agreement to restore stalled dialogue process is big breakthrough: Mashriq
The Mashriq Urdu Daily begins its editorial on a pessimistic note. Commenting on the outcome of the Indian and Pakistani Prime Minister’s one-to-one meeting at the sidelines of the SAARC Summit in Thimpu, the Daily says that “We cannot pin much hope with the agreement between the two Prime Ministers as it is not for the first time that both the countries have agreed for resumption of dialogue. Earlier that they had agreed to resume dialogue for more than twenty times but there has been no breakthrough.” The Daily noted that this talk at Thimpu was merely an “informal talk.”
The Daily opines that “We understand that if both the countries do not hold formal talks and both the countries do not show ‘extraordinary flexibility’ and readiness to offer some sacrifice and concession, the issues will remain as they are. However, regular interactions at the leadership and diplomatic level will help ease tensions and ‘status quo’ would be maintained.” The Daily further notes that an agreement to restore the stalled dialogue process is a big breakthrough in the sense that if both countries try to proceed gradually in this direction one day they would start “serious dialogue”.
But the Daily opines that the issues which are of serious concern for Pakistan such as Kashmir, Siachin and Baglihar should be discussed first and opening of cross border trade should be given second priority.
http://www.dailymashriq.com.pk/editoral/edit%205%201.html
India and Pakistan should expedite implementation process of 16th SAARC Declaration: Azkar
Commenting on the Thimpu Declaration, the Azkar Urdu Daily says that “the Thimpu Declaration is full of commitments but it is yet to be seen as to how many of these are implemented. In the past, the SAARC has taken many decisions including the creation of a free trade zone – SAFTA, but even after the passage of six years it remains only an idea.” About the targets set by the Thimpu Summit, the Daily says that “the commitment to counter terrorism and control smuggling and the creation of a development fund for the region is commendable. Even if 15 per cent of the Thimpu Declaration is implemented, a desire to establish peace and alleviate poverty from the region may come true.”
The Daily opines that “India and Pakistan - the two big and important countries from the region - should expedite the implementation process of the declaration. Since they are also nuclear power states, greater responsibility lies on them to restore peace in the region.”
http://www.dailyazkaar.com.pk/new/detail.php?category=21242&category_id=27&page
Pakistan Pulse
An opinion poll conducted by Asas Urdu Daily amidst the 16th SAARC Summit in Thimpu suggests that a majority of respondents think that the Manmohan Singh-Geelani talks will not yield positive results.
Q. Do you think Manmohan Singh-Geelani talks will yield positive results? (Poll conducted on April 30, 2010)
