Amidst tensions in the relations between India and Pakistan, Sur has surprised everyone in lieu of Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa. Pakistan Army Chief Bajwa said on Tuesday that the time has come for peace to be established for the safe future of the region. His statement is being seen as an offer to negotiate with India.
General Bajwa was addressing a program organized at Pakistan Air Force Academy in Risalpur. Bajwa said that the time has come that we should settle all our disputes in a peaceful manner and put forward the hand of friendship. Since executing India’s Balakot air strike and ending the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, Bajwa has been issuing sharp statements against India. In such a situation, the softness in Bajwa’s attitude is shocking.
General Bajwa said, Pakistan is a peace loving country who has made many sacrifices for regional and global peace. We are still fully committed to the ideal of mutual respect and peaceful co-existence. However, Bajwa said that relations with India cannot be normal at the cost of Kashmir.
Pakistan Army Chief General Bajwa said, Pakistan and India should resolve the pending dispute of Jammu and Kashmir in a dignified and peaceful manner according to the aspirations of Kashmiris and bring this human tragedy to a logical conclusion.
Bajwa also said that Pakistan’s desire for peace should not be mistaken for its weakness. He said that Pakistan’s army is fully capable and ready to deal with any threat. Bajwa praised the Pakistani Air Force and said that the Air Force has played an important role regarding terrorism and internal security.
However, so far there has been no response from India regarding the statement of Pakistan Army Chief Bajwa. Analysts say that it is too early to reach the conclusion that there has been a change in Bajwa’s attitude. We will have to wait a little bit for this. India has made it clear many times before that until Pakistan does not stop promoting terrorism on its land, there will be no talks with it.
General Bajwa’s statement came at a time when opposition parties are united against Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and are demanding the resignation of Imran Khan. Apart from this, the pressure of action against terrorism on Pakistan from the US and other international organizations is increasing. If Pakistan does not take concrete action against terrorism, it can also blacklist the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).