Sharif advocates cuts in India, Pak’s defence spending

In his video message to a conference on the theme “India-Pakistan Designing a new future” organised in London, the two-time premier and PML-N chief was of the view that the two countries should reduce their defence expenditure and increase spending on social sectors to improve the standard of living and eliminate poverty.

Sharif called for peaceful ties between India and Pakistan on the basis of equity, justice and mutual respect for each other.

He recalled that measures he had initiated during his last stint as prime minister to ease relations with India had culminated in the signing of the Lahore Declaration in February 1999 with then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He expressed his thanks to Vajpayee for agreeing to his suggestions to normalise relations with Pakistan and agreeing to come to Lahore on a historic visit.

Sharif said he had removed visa restrictions to eliminate mutual distrust and suspicion and to allow greater people-to-people contacts. The move also benefited people wishing to visit places of religious importance.

“I also sought the release of those unfortunate citizens locked up for years in the jails of the two countries,” he added.

Sharif suggested that India and Pakistan should seriously consider abolishing visas for most categories of visitors to allow frequent and easy travel between the two countries.

He expressed hope that with the return of democracy to Pakistan, the two countries would move closer to each other and gradually remove all outstanding issues through positive dialogue and co-exist peacefully.

The PML-N is a key ally in the new government led by the Pakistan People’s Party. The two-day Indo-Pakistan conference, which began in London on Thursday, has been addressed by politicians, scholars, opinion-makers, former military officials and members of civil society from both countries.

Former Indian external affairs minister Jaswant Singh emphasised the need for a new approach to resolving outstanding issues. He said the two neighbours could settle their problems if there was political will on both sides.

South Asia is currently facing instability and the situation demanded a rational approach by the leadership of the countries in the region, he said.

Former Pakistan foreign minister Sartaj Aziz said both countries had faced a prolonged period of tensions and the time has now come for a bilateral peace treaty. The composite dialogue has led to a number of confidence-building measures that have eased the situation to a large extent, he said.

A lot of ground has been covered on the Siachen and Sir Creek issues and it was time to resolve them. The time is also ripe for the Indian Prime Minister to visit Pakistan to consolidate ties, Aziz said.