Dialogue between Pakistan & India the only option: Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri

Replying to a question in an interview with an Indian TV channel, PAT Chairman Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that particular allegations are raised against ISI, which cannot be endorsed because they are not backed by any evidence. He said that if allegations continue to be made, then problems will continue to multiply instead of being resolved. He said that if India talks of Pathankot and Mumbai attacks, then Pakistan is worried over terrorism in Karachi and Balochistan. He said that these problems will be resolved only when both countries join each other to expose the terrorists.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri stated emphatically that solution to all outstanding issues including Kashmir lies in dialogue. He said that it is about time that we go beyond allegations and if anyone has proofs of terrorism, it should present them publically. He said that terrorists are enemies of both India and Pakistan.

In reply to another question, Dr Qadri said that it has been 70 years since both Pakistan and India won freedom. He asked whether it has been decided that both countries will remain locked in eternal enmity and conflict. He said that if there is any such decision, then it is nothing short of an enmity with the succeeding generations.

In reply to yet another question wherein the anchor referred to a statement of General Pervez Musharraf where he is reported to have said that Pakistan armed forces personnel fought in Kargil, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said that Pervez Musharraf is alive and he is the best person to answer its question. He said that whether former General passed this statement or not, he did not know even this much.

The PAT Chairman said that welfare of coming generations should be given a serious thought by doing away with enmity. He said that there are split families living across the borders, adding that the people should not be made to stand in queues for hours and wait for months for their visas. He said that facilitation should be provided to citizens of each other’s countries. He said that resources should be spent on education, health and poverty alleviation instead of spending it on enmity.

Responding to a question, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said that it is not correct that a common Muslim does not condemn terrorism. He said that when terrorists take lives of innocent people, it becomes news for media to carry and project and when a common Muslim condemns this act of violence and terrorism, it does not become news for the media. Talking about India-Pakistan relations, he said that the people of Pakistan love him very much and the people in India also extend to him their respect. He said what he meant was that people on both sides are well-meaning, want peace and get connected. He said if political leaderships do not allow their people to have free interactions; the people should not be blamed for it.

Dr Qadri said that activities such as International Sufi Conference should be held frequently in both countries and the caravans of people should continue to visit each other. He said that Islam rejects terrorism altogether and 600-page Fatwa on terrorism and suicide bombings authored by him is an eloquent proof of this and it won global acclaim.