Want Civilised Ties With India, Kashmir Issue Resolved: Imran Khan

“If France and Germany, who fought several wars, can live in peace, why not India and Pakistan,” Imran Khan said.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan gave a speech at the Kartarpur ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday, 28 November. 

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Producer: Shohini Bose
Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Wednesday, 28 November, that all outstanding issues between India and his country, including the Kashmir dispute, can be resolved if there's a decisive leadership on both sides having the will.

Khan reiterated his "If India takes one step, then Pakistan will take two" message at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor that was attended by Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Indian Union Ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri, and Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu.

‘If France and Germany Can Live in Peace, Then Why Not Us’

Khan said that there have been "mistakes on both sides" and asserted that the two sides should not live in the past.

"Where Pakistan and India stand today, we have seen such a situation for 70 years now," Khan said.

"We will stay stuck this way unless we break the shackles of the past and stop blaming each other," he said, adding that the two neighbours must improve their ties.

Khan also questioned how could there be a war between the two countries when both of them were armed with nuclear weapons.

Khan’s bonhomie towards Navjot Singh Sidhu was also apparent at the ceremony, as he questioned why he was criticised in India, purportedly for attending the former's oath-taking ceremony.

“I don’t know why he was criticised (in India). He was just talking about peace and brotherhood. He can come and contest elections here in Pakistan’s Punjab, he’ll win. I hope we don’t have to wait for Sidhu to become Indian PM for everlasting friendship between our nations.”

Imran Khan at Kartarpur ground-breaking ceremony

During his speech at the ground-breaking ceremony, Sidhu also effusively praised Imran Khan, saying his name will be on the "first page when Kartarpur's history is written."

Khan also assured the Sikh community that facilities at Kartarpur will be better for 550th birth celebrations for Guru Nanak Dev.

The corridor links Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district to facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims.

(With inputs from PTI.)