Unfortunate that Indian media tried to politicise Kartarpur border opening: PM Khan
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Prime Minister Imran Khan, while addressing the federal cabinet on Thursday, termed it unfortunate that Indian media has given Pakistan's positive gesture of opening the Kartarpur border a "political colour".
"Unfortunately the Indian media has given Kartarpur [border opening] a political colour, as if we did this to gain some sort of political mileage [...] This is not true. We did it because it is part of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's manifesto," the prime minister said
"We have religious sites that are important for Hindus and Buddhists; we should open them up and facilitate the people," he added.
"The Sikh community has responded very positively to the effort [to open the Kartarpur border]. It is to them what Madinah is to us Muslims. We hope that India will also respond positively in return," Prime Minister Khan said.
Foreign policy matters
In reference to Special Envoy for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad's meeting with the prime minister yesterday, the cabinet was told that "Pakistan's role in the region is now being recognised".
"Pakistan has always played an active role to promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and it is a matter of great satisfaction that the United States has recognised Islamabad's contribution to this effect," the prime minister was reported as saying.
Touching upon Pakistan's offer to act as mediator in the Yemen conflict, Prime Minister Khan said, "We talked to Saudi Arabia and Iran on the matter, Iran's foreign minister gave us the go-ahead to try and see what could be done. We will try our best in this regard as well."
Deflecting criticism
The prime minister also came to his ministers' defence, saying that: "The finance ministry, planning and commerce ministries should be lauded for the efforts they have made under great pressure."
The prime minister added that despite difficulties and challenges, various multinational companies have pledged to invest in Pakistan.
"Let me name a few of the companies that are planning to invest here. Suzuki's chairman promised an investment worth $450 million, The Coca-Cola Company will invest $500m and PepsiCo will invest $400m," the prime minister said.
"Exxon — which is the largest gas drilling company in the world — has come back to Pakistan after 27 years. They are immediately investing $200m in the country and they are saying that by next summer, they expect to know exactly how many off-shore gas reserves we have," he added.
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Comments (64) Closed
Dec 06, 2018 02:08pm
If not politics then what....
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Dec 06, 2018 02:14pm
well said PM Khan!
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Dec 06, 2018 02:15pm
@Ravi, typical - just as expected!
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Dec 06, 2018 02:22pm
Look inward, reason is there to see.
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Dec 06, 2018 02:22pm
Sikh were the one who wanted the corridor to be opened that’s way they directly talked to Pakistan government
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Dec 06, 2018 02:27pm
@Ravi, you people never change your mindset.
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Dec 06, 2018 02:28pm
Why turn any positive news in politics or target each other. Please lets all move forward and show good positive gestures to enhance relations with between neighbouring countries. After all Pakistan and India are next to each and other and have much in common.
A country maybe achieving success in fields of economy or technology, but it will stay as a third world nation until poverty is eliminated thorough regional cooperation between countries to increase trade and friendly atmosphere therefore reduce the budget on military equipment. Spend your budget on the people instead.
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Dec 06, 2018 02:51pm
@Ravi. It is ruling party's manifesto to open up revered religious sites to pilgrims. "If not politics then" perhaps it certainly is "sanity coupled with some altruism". Both were lacking when Pakistani pilgrims were denied visas for Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer Sharif earlier this year.
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Dec 06, 2018 02:52pm
It is not suitable for PM to respond to Indian Media.
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Dec 06, 2018 02:56pm
Indian media's reaction was mixed. It did its job of looking at it from all angles. Why omit the fact that part of Indian media also called it a positive step?
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Dec 06, 2018 03:05pm
The whole Indian government's stance is unfortunate. There's still a lot of love between people.
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Dec 06, 2018 03:15pm
Is this also a "googly" ?
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Dec 06, 2018 03:20pm
And so did Maulana Fazal ur Rehman and many others at home.
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Dec 06, 2018 03:29pm
It is a political matter only. Only political channel has eased the situation of opening corridor.
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Dec 06, 2018 03:33pm
@BhaRAT, so why u invited Indian govt and their ministers.
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Dec 06, 2018 03:37pm
Current Indian government cannot afford to give a positive response to Pakistan.
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Dec 06, 2018 03:42pm
Lets just keep focusing on foreign direct investments with full throttle. Also lets work on growth of export products by giving exporters cheaper energy in order to remain competitive. Just lowering rupee alone wont work. For common citizens lets work on getting them free education and free health program. Currently i have spent a lot on my wife's pregnancy in a private hospital because govt hospitals arent upto the mark
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Dec 06, 2018 03:50pm
Is it enough to divert the attention of people of Pak from economic disaster country is facing??
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Dec 06, 2018 03:54pm
@Asif Kashmiri, Its expected the same from you side as well.
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Dec 06, 2018 04:03pm
@Rashid, And that's how you generalise people. Well done.
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Dec 06, 2018 04:15pm
Indian government has been asking for the corridor since several decades. It will promote religious tourism which in the long run will lead to harmony. When an army man announces the decision instead of political or religious leaders what is it ?
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Dec 06, 2018 04:19pm
In diplomacy presentation is more important than intention.
Using one wrong word changed the interpretation of the intention and nullified all the good-will created by opening the corridor.
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Dec 06, 2018 04:33pm
@BhaRAT, So you think a corridor can be opened without prior and due permission from the Central Govt? Thats why I keep saying Pakistan needs to invest heavily in education.
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Dec 06, 2018 04:42pm
@Rashid, No we don't. so?
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Dec 06, 2018 04:55pm
@Jjacky, as a goodwill gesture.
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Dec 06, 2018 05:16pm
Who gave them the chance? who used the word googly?
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Dec 06, 2018 05:33pm
@Ravi, Peace?
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Dec 06, 2018 05:36pm
Ohoo, do mean Pakistan had a moral, altruistic objective behind Kartarput corridor? Do you think people are fools not to understand your real intentions. But don't you worry, we have our own strategies, that you will see in a year or two.
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Dec 06, 2018 05:37pm
It is unfortunate but it was bound to happen. Even in best case scents this was bound to happen.
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Dec 06, 2018 06:04pm
Religious extremists in media?
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Dec 06, 2018 06:04pm
Ik wasting time,
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Dec 06, 2018 06:04pm
Politics or no politics, any measure taken by any Government should be welcomed by all. If people win, every one wins!
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Dec 06, 2018 06:14pm
Googly bowl was the comment of Pakistan foreign minister only.
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Dec 06, 2018 06:39pm
@Ravi, What IK has done is a much richer idea that neither of the countries are able to comprehend at this point as anything but political because our brains were fed conspiracy theories almost all our lives. Here is another idea, think about it, up till now all we have heard from our politician's on both sides is how the other side is to be blamed and how we should not move forward all the way because of that. These are the same politicians who keep filling up their swiss banks (in both countries) with our tax payers money for their own power.
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Dec 06, 2018 07:15pm
Both India and Pakistani politicians are always on election mode , they always trying to divert the attention of people from real issues, that's why we are far behind of western countries.
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Dec 06, 2018 07:20pm
@Ravi , if not politics then what?
the answer is in the above news and P.M khan statement,
please re-read again with an open mind.
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Dec 06, 2018 07:43pm
@prakash, You should focus on your issues first. And stop advocating us what to do.
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Dec 06, 2018 07:50pm
Sir, even your media is no better.Change them then expect other's to follow
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Dec 06, 2018 08:05pm
Imran Khan is weak and immature politician. The strong politician never care "what the media says about his policies and actions". Strong politician care only what his counterparts [or the government of other countries] says about him and his policies. Imran Khan should refrain reacting on the media reports, it is a weakness.
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Dec 06, 2018 08:25pm
PM IK..please ignore and work as per your vision. Media will follow the winner..you started well...keep going..pakistan-india relation will grow under your leadership....
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Dec 06, 2018 09:37pm
@Ash Man, Are you happy with corridor sir? Or will keep finding negativity as always.
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Dec 06, 2018 10:19pm
Who started GOOGLY? Don't blame India.
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Dec 06, 2018 10:33pm
Propagandas, politicizing is in the blood of Indian media, that's where they spend most of their time.
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Dec 06, 2018 10:37pm
What about "Google" comment of your minister?
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Dec 06, 2018 10:41pm
Imran Khan's personal problem is that he allows criticism to get under his skin.
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Dec 06, 2018 10:51pm
Pakistan googly for peace is 100% acceptable and India does not want to hear the K word even it achieves peace for Kashmiri people
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Dec 06, 2018 11:16pm
You guys are reading only negative news. I think everyone is happy including me with this move.forget about part of media . You will see the result in panjaab election.
Even if that is the case keep doing good work. People are not blind as you think. Thanks again Pakistan
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Dec 06, 2018 11:23pm
@Ravi,
i believe it is a very positive move. we should not question a good step just because it is taken by Pakistan.
as a minimum what harm can it do? Sikhs has loved it. best is for both countries to take many mini steps like this. then and then we can resolve our differences
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Dec 07, 2018 12:40am
@Indian, respect
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Dec 07, 2018 01:33am
@Suraj1971,
Mr. Suraj1971,
And what about Bharat?
Is she the most developed country of the world?
Please give comment in the sensible way and don't twist the reality.
Bharat has sealed this corridor and was against the opening of the doors to the Gurduwara of Kartarpur.
Credit goes to Pakistan for ever.
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Dec 07, 2018 01:37am
@babu ji,
Mr. babu ji,
Congratulations on your comment.
As an Indian you have said bitter truth and majority of Indians excluding South Indians can't digest this.
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Dec 07, 2018 01:40am
@Indian,
Mr. Indian,
Thanks from other side of border for your right and true analysis.
Shukreeya.
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Dec 07, 2018 01:57am
Khan saheb Sikh community is part of the indian community. A positive note from them is a positive note from India. India has many news outlets. Few of them were appreciative of Kartarpur opening...let's take the positive and move forward.
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Dec 07, 2018 02:03am
‘Exxon — which is the largest gas drilling company in the world — has come back to Pakistan after 27 years. They are immediately investing $200m in the country and they are saying that by next summer, they expect to know exactly how many off-shore gas reserves we have," he added.’
Pl make sure we get the deal right, it shoukd be 70:30 % and 70% of pil revenues to Pakistan.
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Dec 07, 2018 02:04am
@Suryakant Agrawal, That statement is more applicable to your own country.
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Dec 07, 2018 02:23am
IK should ask his FM to apologize for google comments as your FM made it political.
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Dec 07, 2018 02:48am
Isn't that what you wanted?
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Dec 07, 2018 06:14am
Look inward
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Dec 07, 2018 06:46am
The Coca-Cola Company will invest $500m and PepsiCo will invest $400m," the prime minister said
These companies are not going to give any thing new, they are going to sell some useless stuffs and transfer money back to US.
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Dec 07, 2018 10:11am
@Ravi, Please grow up
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Dec 07, 2018 10:33am
Imran You have taken so many U turns that we don't know what would you do and what do you say...
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Dec 07, 2018 10:52am
@Sri, Good suggestion that he should move forward but without U turns.
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Dec 07, 2018 02:47pm
Yes, they do not agree with us.
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Dec 08, 2018 02:49am
The relations between two great nations is like a house or .. a mansion. It cannot be built in a day. Let us ignore the immediate reactions and concentrate on the long term effects. Give it five years to develop and flourish.
There have been many stumbles in the last 70 years and people remember. Another 5 years will not make a difference.
Resolve Kashmir once and for all and settle on the line of control as final, for the next 70 years. Then the relations will improve 1000 percent.
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