Pakistan hopes improvement in diplomatic row : Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood

NEW DELHI, 25 Mar 2018 [Fik/News Sources]: Amid escalating row over alleged harassment of the diplomats, Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood expressed the hope that “things will improve for the better shortly” as Pakistan celebrated its 70th National Day at its embassy Friday evening here which was attended by a large number of diplomats from the different foreign missions and prominent Indian political, social and religious figures.

Speaking at the evening reception hosted by the Pakistan High Commission, Sohail Mahmood said   we want “friendly relations” with New Delhi as Pakistan and India have completed 70 years as free nations.

“At the time of independence, our founding fathers had envisioned an amicable relationship between the two countries. The relations, however, evolved on a different trajectory.”

Mahmood, who returned to India on Thursday night, said both the countries would reflect on lost time and opportunities.

“I do hope that at this pivotal moment, with India and Pakistan at 70, there would be hard reflection on the time lost, and the opportunities missed.”

The Pak envoy also stressed the need of building better future for the coming generations.

“Building a future different from the past remains indispensible.  We owe it to our next generations. We must give them a future of hope and opportunities. I hope we can prove equal to the task and work purposefully to advance the worthy goals of honourable peace, equal security, and shared prosperity.”

Highlighting Pakistan’s progress in many walks of life, he said Pakistan has made “major strides” in deepening democracy, strengthening the economy, building a free media, and nurturing a dynamic civil society.

On terrorism, he said Islamabad has been pursing zero-tolerance policy rigorously against the menace of terrorism.

“Our endeavours to fight the scourge of terrorism continue to move apace, as reflected in the success of operations Zarb-e-Azb and Raad al Fasaad.”

He said “Quaid-e-Azam envisioned Pakistan as an economically-strong, modern, moderate, democratic, Islamic welfare state and successive generations of the country have contributed their part towards the fuller realization of the Quaid’s vision.

Amid growing tensions, the function witnessed a large presence of the invitees including Hurriyat leaders from Jammu and Kashmir.

Talking to Muslim Mirror, Syed Salim Gilani said we faced ‘hostile’ media outside the Pakistan High Commission.  They were asking questions like why did you come to attend this function as Pakistan has been sending “terrorists’ and killing our people, Gilani said.

“I told the Indian media we have come here to spread the message of love and peace as gun won’t solve any problem,” he said.

Describing the appointment of Dinesh Sharma as“eyewash”, Hurriyat leaders opined that “India must accept the disputed nature of the Jammu and Kashmir” and the dialogue is the only way forward.

Hurriyat leaders, who met the Pakistan envoy, said “Islamabad reiterated it stand that it would continue to support politically, diplomatically and morally to the struggle of the Kashmiri people for self-determination.

“We appealed the High Commissioner that Pakistan to use its influence at the OIC to address the unemployment problem in Kashmir and accommodate the talents of Kashmir in professional institutions and colleges in the Islamic world,” Salim Gilani said.

Pakistan High Commission had sent invitation to all the top leaders of the Hurriyat Conference but most of them are under house-arrest.