haha chothonic, you think vajpayee drove through the faizabad flyover? Ever heard about the helipads in PAF airbase and what they are normally used for?
I applaud this step in the right direction. I'm not an avid supporter of the BJP government and what it stands for, but in the national interest and long term Islamic interest of Pakistan and its surrounding neighbours, there must be a sustained ceasefire, dialogue, relationship rebuilding and treaty between the two countries.
For too long now our nation has sufferred at the expense of a cause that gains excitement due to political and military motives. Why does Pakistan see itself neck to neck with its neighbour 5 times its size? History presents itself with wounds and bitter memories, but the future must be brighter for the coming generations. A nation with the inherent motive to succeed, to lead, to better the state of the Muslims in this world must concentrate on a long term vision and mission for the Muslims of the region.
With a political and military cause that brings great humour to the UN security council, Pakistan's or indeed Islam's strategy in the region must not be limited by national interests. A hundred years ago, the world did not see national boundaries or lines drawn on maps separating regions and calling them sovereign states. Who knows what happens in the future, Pakistan may be enveloped by India, Iran, China, it may envelope Afghanistan or it may disintegrate into smaller states. The whole driving force behind the machinery that drives this nation works hard to prevent disintegration.
We have a limited vision for Pakistan.
It is important to realise that for Pakistan to remain a leading Muslim country not only in the region but in the entire world, is to have a vision for the Muslims in the region. Yes, this includes Muslims in India, in Afghanistan, in Iran, in China, in Bangladesh. A vision with specific objectives and milestones that addresses key problems:
- Lack of political power and voice in the world
- Lack of organised and institutionalised military strength for defence
- Lack of financial and commerical strength
- Poverty
- Lack of education and development
- Lack of incentive to rise above
All this can never be achieved unless the Muslim afghans, the iranians, the chinese, the pakistanis, the indians and the bangladeshis work and strive together.
This is why I believe that peace with India is important because there are 150million brothers and sisters living in that country who must become a part of our vision for the future.
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*Originally posted by ZulfiOKC: *
IMO, the Indians had to, there was no alternative left for the Indians, the bold step taken by the Musharraf actually cornered the Indians, and gave them no space to manouever...
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Musharraf should pass reins to Qazi Hussein Ahmed who has been waiting for so long.. I guess he would not have allowed any foriegn leader to come to the land of the pure. Already there are voices within the Jamaat to force closure of all foriegn embassies from Pakistan.
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*Originally posted by Spock: *
haha chothonic, you think vajpayee drove through the faizabad flyover? Ever heard about the helipads in PAF airbase and what they are normally used for?
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How do you know that? I just saw him drive into the Islamabad airport in his 7 series.
From practically every corner of the world there is is extremely positive reactions to the historic talks between the Pakistani and Indian leaderships during the SAARC summit.
All credit to our Great President Musharraf, and Prime Minsters Jamali and Vajpayee. :k:
[thumb=E]6_1_2004_Vaj-Mush-22327_9888946.JPG[/thumb]
India and Pakistan agree ‘historic’ peace talks](http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/story.jsp?story=478626)
Giant leap for India, Pakistan: announce plans for February peace talks](http://www.canada.com/vancouver/story.asp?id=3DABCECF-31CE-48A7-80AF-F094CEBA1175)
Pakistan and India make leap forward](http://www.iht.com/articles/123873.html)
Pakistan, India to resume Kashmir talks](Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera)
Pakistan, India to start composite dialogue in early 2004](http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-01/06/content_1263345.htm)
‘Historic’ Kashmir talks agreed
Pakistan and India say they will discuss the bitterly divisive issue of Kashmir in historic talks due to start next month.
The countries’ leaders are “confident” the talks will bring peace - “History has been made,” Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf told journalists.
The news was announced at the end of a South Asian regional summit in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
A BBC correspondent in Islamabad says the move is a major breakthrough.
Recent months have seen a gradual thaw in relations between the two nuclear rivals after a period of prolonged military confrontation.
‘Victory for the people’
“To carry the process of normalisation forward, the president of Pakistan and the prime minister of India agreed to commence the process of a composite dialogue in February 2004,” Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha told journalists in Islamabad, reading from a joint statement.
He was speaking a day after President Musharraf hosted talks with India’s Atal Behari Vajpayee - their first talks in nearly three years.
Earlier on Tuesday, the leaders of the seven regional states attending the Islamabad summit agreed to create a free trade zone and renewed a joint pledge to tackle terrorism.
Mr Sinha said some details of the talks, including where they will be held, had still to be finalised.
The statement expresses great hope that the talks will bear fruit.
“The two leaders are confident the resumption of the composite dialogue will lead to the peaceful settlement of all bilateral issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, to the satisfaction of both sides,” it says.
Praise for Vajpayee
Shortly afterwards, General Musharraf said: “History has been made.”
But he cautioned that next month’s talks would be only a beginning, not an end.
Tuesday’s agreement was a “victory for moderates” and he praised both India and Pakistan for showing flexibility in their bargaining position.
Mr Vajpayee’s statesmanship had made Tuesday’s agreement possible, General Musharraf said.
“I would like to give total credit to his vision.”
The joint statement said the two leaders had discussed all issues, particularly the question of cross border violence.
It said the General Musharraf had assured Mr Vajpayee that territories under the control of Pakistan would not be used for such purposes.
The statement also said the formal talks would be between the foreign secretaries of the two countries.
‘Defusing tensions’
Monday’s meeting between General Musharraf and Mr Vajpayee was the centre of attention at the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (Saarc) summit.
The two men met for an hour, confirming a thaw in their relations.
Both countries are cautiously talking peace after having narrowly averted a war over Kashmir in 2002.
Pakistani officials said the meeting helped defuse tensions between the two sides.
The BBC’s Sanjeev Srivastava in Islamabad says both sides realise the road ahead may be tough.
Accusations
In April 2003, Mr Vajpayee made a surprise speech calling for an end to more than 18 months of simmering tensions with Pakistan, prompted by an attack on the Indian parliament.
India blamed that attack on Kashmiri separatists it said were backed by Pakistan.
Pakistan denied the charge, saying it only provides diplomatic support to what it calls an indigenous insurgency against Indian rule in Kashmir.
Analysts say the rivalry between India and Pakistan has in the past halted projects within the 18-year-old Saarc grouping.
The Islamabad summit concluded with members agreeing to create a free trade zone from 1 January, 2006.
Ministers also updated a convention on combating terrorism and launched a social charter to raise living standards in member states.
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You are warned to stay on topic and avoid your bickering and fighting. Any more irrelevant posts will be removed**
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As above you are also warned to stay on topic and avoid your bickering and fighting. Any more irrelevant posts will be removed**
As above
Re: ‘Historic’ Kashmir talks agreed
Yes, the BBC has been widely reporting the SAARC summit, as has the world’s media who sense that Pakistan and India are making historic breakthrough’s for peace. President Musharraf gave one of his best news conferences to date, showing amazing tolerance and diplomacy, which certainly wowed most of the Indian media people.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_7-1-2004_pg7_32
Indian journalists wowed by Musharraf
The journalists representing the Indian media in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation left impressed by President Pervez Musharraf’s prolonged press conference on Tuesday. “He killed all the press conferences that we have attended before. This one was simply great,” commented Seema Mustafa, the political editor of Asian Age when this correspondent asked her what she thought of President Musharraf’s press conference. “All the previous press conferences were very boring. But this was great. He gave everyone an opportunity to ask questions,” Ms Mustafa said. “Musharraf knows how to play with the gallery. He is an expert on that. I also attended his press conference in Agra. He was fantastic there, and he is fantastic here,” remarked Pinki Dalal, executive editor of The Bombay Samachar, a leading Gujarati newspaper.
The president’s press conference lasted for about 70 minutes and he concluded it only when Seema Mustafa stood up on behalf of the Indian journalists to say that the Indians would have to take their leave because they had to file their stories soon due to short deadlines. “He looked happy. He articulated himself well. He always attracts the media,” she said. “Indians were very wary of him because of what happened in Agra. But this time, this came across as a sincere person who wanted to give peace a chance. Whether the change has been brought about by the changed circumstances and heightened terror threats do not detract from his positive approach,’ said Diwakar from Economic Times. “The big difference with General Musharraf this time was that he was much more cautious and tried to avoid all controversies. Every time he was asked a question on links between Pakistan-based terrorism and violence in the valley, he chose to avoid a direct answer. Perhaps, he is learning that to be a statesman you have to talk less. Too much talk has always been dangerous,” said Rajdeep Sardesai, managing editor of ND [New Delhi] TV.
Not every journalist present was impressed by Musharraf. “It was too long and he said nothing new. That’s what he had said in Agra,” was the only dissenting view from New Delhi-based Paul Watson of the Los Angles Times. The president’s press conference came as a surprise to the entire Indian media contingent. Whereas the Indian leadership has been very careful in dealing with media and ensuring minimum interaction with journalists, Pakistan remained media-friendly. Press conferences by Pakistani officials ranging from Foreign Office Spokesman Masood Khan to the Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri have always been enlivening. Both Khan and Kasuri allowed journalists time to put questions. Both displayed a remarkable sense of humour. But it was the president who proved to be a cut above everyone else. “He is really charismatic. He is very popular among Indians, particularly the Indian women journalists. He is charming. Though he is a soldier, he appears to be very romantic and quick-witted,” remarked Asifa, a Muslim journalist from India. “General Musharraf does have critics as well as admirers. But one thing is for sure – his press conferences are unique and enjoyable. One would not like to have a nap when he is talking,” remarked Sheela Bhatt of Rediff.com.
Indian journalists wowed by Musharraf
“He killed all the press conferences that we have attended before. This one was simply great,” commented Seema Mustafa, the political editor of Asian Age ...“All the previous press conferences were very boring. But this was great. ..."
"I also attended his press conference in Agra. He was fantastic there, and he is fantastic here,” remarked Pinki Dalal, executive editor of The Bombay Samachar, a leading Gujarati newspaper.
"This time, this came across as a sincere person who wanted to give peace a chance. ...’ said Diwakar from Economic Times.
“He is really charismatic. He is very popular among Indians, particularly the ** Indian women journalists. ** :D He is charming. Though he is a soldier, he appears to be very romantic and quick-witted,” remarked Asifa, a Muslim journalist from India.
“General Musharraf does have critics as well as admirers. But one thing is for sure – his press conferences are unique and enjoyable. One would not like to have a nap when he is talking,” remarked Sheela Bhatt of Rediff.com.
Stating the obvious… 
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*Originally posted by Pakistani Tiger: *
Stating the obvious... :)
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Pakistan should not try to patch up with India unless India is willing to give us our land, Kashmir back. With economic progress we have seen in Pak, Pak has strong advantages over India. PakistanTiger'ji (I don't know why did u choose an animal's name !) ai tenu ki ho gaya hai wei ? Musharraf the biggest leader of Pak ? Menu tei Musharraf ullu lagta si.. he doesn't know Punjabi well too.. aur yeh kis dhakkan ka photu chhap rakha hai tu ? East or West Qazi Husssein Ahmed is the best !
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*Originally posted by Pakistani Tiger: *
Stating the obvious... :)
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I hope you know the difference between biggest and greatest.
^
Bah - Vajoo had to say something good afterall politics ka takaza hai
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040108/asp/frontpage/story_2764237.asp
AND PT, see my PM to you and you would understand the compulsions of politics
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*Originally posted by mulz: *With economic progress we have seen in Pak, Pak has strong advantages over India.
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Specifically, what would these advantages be?
**The warming of ties between Pakistan and India after the recent talks between Mr Vajpayee and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf “will help the BJP in the forthcoming general elections,” says a senior BJP leader. **
Where's the praise?