India 'Running Away' From Talks, Says Pakistan President

Islamabad: Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday accused India of "running away" from talks despite Pakistan's offer of joint-probe in the Pathankot terror attack, even as he raked up the Kashmir issue, calling it an "unfinished agenda of partition" and the main cause of regional tension.

Addressing the joint session of the parliament at the start of the fourth year of the present parliament, Hussain said, "Despite Pakistan's efforts for resumption of talks (with India) and its offer of joint probe in the Pathankot attack, the foreign secretary level talks are still suspended. Pakistan is concerned about it."

"We believe the main cause of tension in the region is the Kashmir issue. It is part of unfinished agenda of partition of the sub-continent. Unless Kashmir issue is settled according to the wishes of people of Kashmir and UN resolutions, the problems of this region cannot be resolved," he said.

He said Pakistan is a peaceful country and wants its foreign policy to be based on friendship and brotherhood with all nations.

"We do not wish to be aggressive towards any nation and intend to participate with honesty in national and global affairs," he said.

The president said that Pakistan wanted peaceful ties with all neighbours by addressing disputes through talks and accused India of "running away from talks with Pakistan".

He said that democracy has been strengthened in the country and it can now resist and absorb different kinds of crises.

"Our political system has become strong enough to successfully face different kinds of crises. It means that our nation has come to the conclusion that sustainable progress and stability cannot be achieved without democracy," he said, as he congratulated the lawmakers on completion of three years of parliament.

He said Pakistan was making progress in the economic field and the country achieved 4.7 per cent growth in the outgoing fiscal years which will end on June 30.

He said Pak-China partnership was important for national economic growth and the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will be completed at every cost.