India will have to talk out contentious issues: Shehbaz

Pakistan and India should sit down at the table like peaceful neighbours and settle their outstanding issues, including Kashmir, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday night, as the country observed ‘Youm-e-Tashakur’ (Day of Thanks) to pay homage to the military.

Addressing a special ‘Youm-e-Tashakur’ event at the Pakistan Monument here, Shehbaz said that India and Pakistan fought three wars and got nothing.

“The lesson is to sit down as peaceful neighbours and settle all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir. Without resolution of our issues, we cannot have peace in this part of the world,” Shehbaz said.

India has made it clear that it will only have a dialogue with Pakistan on the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the issue of terrorism.

“If peace comes, we can also cooperate in counterterrorism,” said the Prime Minister, who was the chief guest at the event, attended by top army officials.

State-run Radio Pakistan reported that the day dawned with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and a 21-gun salute at provincial capitals, while special prayers were offered. Rallies were also held across the country to express solidarity with the armed forces.

“Pakistan is a peaceful country, but it reserves the right to give a befitting response in its defence,” he said, recalling the recent military confrontation with India.

“The way the Pakistan armed forces and the entire nation fought this war is unparalleled,” he said.

It was for the second time that ‘Youm-e-Tashakkur’ was observed after a ceasefire was announced. It was first observed on Sunday, when rallies were taken out to pay tribute to the armed forces for their response to India.

“Pakistan will never compromise on its sovereignty, territorial integrity and core national interests,” President Asif Ali Zardari said.

Deputy PM Ishaq Dar used a “fake” news report attributed to a UK-based daily to praise his country’s Air Force in the Senate. Citing the viral “fake news”, Dar told lawmakers that The Daily Telegraph reported that “Pakistan Air Force is the undisputed king of the skies.”

However, his claim was fact-checked by the Dawn newspaper, which termed the viral report as “fake”. The image was also shared on Facebook by Ikhtiar Wali Khan, the PM’s coordinator on information for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on May 11.