Improve ties, but don't forget Kashmir: Pak PM

FRANK TALK: Pakistan PM Yousuf Raza Gillani speaking to Karan Thapar in his first ever interview to CNN-IBN.

        

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Keywords: Yousuf Raza Gillani, Prime Minister

Yousuf Raza Gillani: Yes.

Karan Thapar: And now the matter is being reviewed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Law.

Yousuf Raza Gillani: Yes.

Karan Thapar: And this review is with a view to a pardon?

Yousuf Raza Gillani: They will think on those lines, they will consider whether the case is fit or not and they will take the decision.

Karan Thapar: Personally, as an individual and as someone who has suffered time in gaol, would you be in favour of a pardon?

Yousuf Raza Gillani: That is the reason I’ve advised the President.

Karan Thapar: In the interview that Asif Zardari gave me in March, he said that if invited, the new Prime Minister would visit India, accompanied by Asif Zardari himself, Nawaz Sharif, Asfandyar Wali Khan (of ANP), Fazlur Rehman (of MMA) and even Altaf Hussain. That statement went down extremely well in India. Today, you are that new Prime Minister, do you have plans for such a visit?

Yousuf Raza Gillani: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh rang me up when I was elected as the Prime Minister and I am grateful to him for his felicitations, his congratulations. I also talked to the leader of the opposition and we are expecting his visit to Pakistan. Whatever our co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari has said, I think it’s a good idea.

Karan Thapar: But you are expecting Dr Manmohan Singh in Pakistan first?

Yousuf Raza Gillani: Yes.

Karan Thapar: Any visit you pay will be after that?

Yousuf Raza Gillani: Yes, after that.

Karan Thapar: Let me end tonight’s interview by saying this: If Dr Manmohan Singh is listening to this interview, you have a message for him?

Yousuf Raza Gillani: I only wish him to know that we want to maintain excellent relations with our neighbours, especially India.

Karan Thapar: And can he trust you on your assurance that you’ll do everything to stop terrorism?

Yousuf Raza Gillani: I think there’s no doubt about it.

Karan Thapar: And can he also believe that you’re reaching out a hand of friendship and genuinely sort out Kashmir?

Yousuf Raza Gillani: I think so, because I have the support of majority of people in Pakistan.

Karan Thapar: So you want to be a true friend not just of Manmohan Singh, but of India?

Yousuf Raza Gillani: There are a few problems which I’ve earlier mentioned that if we resolve the core issues, I think there is no hesitation and I’m very clear about it. We were coming closer and I have quoted two-three past presidents also.

Karan Thapar: And you want to come closer, still.

Yousuf Raza Gillani: Yes.

Karan Thapar: Prime Minister, let’s leave this interview there. Tomorrow, I want to talk to you about the problems you face in your country.