Ambassador Akram favors initiating dialogue between different cultures

November 5, 2003
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Kathmandu: The Pakistan Ambassador, Mr. Zamir Akram, has alleged that certain forces in Nepal have set their agenda aimed at maligning his country and in the process defame Pakistan.

He however, did not mention as to which forces were in motion in this country to defame his country.

Ambassador Akram made these observations on 28 October at an interaction program initiated by the Embassy itself.

Nevertheless he made it abundantly clear that despite the occurrences of such moves against his country, Nepal-Pakistan bilateral relations were at an excellent level. “We have been supporting Nepali Army by providing non-lethal items”, added the Ambassador.

When asked if his country could support in curbing the threats of the Maoists insurgency, the Pakistani envoy said that first the request has to come from the Nepali side. In his opinion, if such a request is made by Nepal, his country could train the security personnel on how to move.

“We are ready to share our own experiences while dealing with the insurgents”, Ambassador Akram divulged.

The Ambassador gave the impression that his country would love to offer their experience and expertise should the Nepali side made a proposal on that regard.

Talking on the fresh proposals made by New Delhi in order to remove irritants between the two countries, Ambassador Akram maintained that the proposals recently sent by New Delhi for the perusal of Islamabad contained some points which his country had already made and sent to Delhi’s perusal.

There is nothing new in Delhi’s proposal but yet it’s a good move, said the Ambassador.

According to the Pakistani diplomat, until the core issues of Kashmir were not addressed, proposals do not hold much meaning. “It’s like a patient being administered a paracetamol instead of being provided with Cortisone to what he needed in effect”, said the Ambassador.

The Pakistani diplomat did not hide his displeasure on Israel and India coming closer in the recent months.

“The delivery of Israel’s sophisticated weapons to India is bound to destabilize not only this part of the world but beyond that it will have its negative impact”, continued the Ambassador.

According to Ambassador Akram, Israel is a conduit of the US weapons which had been denied in the past to India and other countries”, went on the diplomat.

He lamented over the stance acquired by certain countries of the developed West on the Muslims and Islam as a religion and suggested those countries to refrain from such activities.

He warned that the growing alienation of the Muslims and Islam in the West might bring the Clash of Civilization, the Christianity versus the Muslims, much nearer as predicted by Samuel P. Huntington.

He however, made it clear that to avert this dangerous trend, a sort of dialogue in between different cultures have got to be initiated.

On a query, Ambassador Akram hinted that King Gyanendra’s Pakistan visit might materialize early next year only.

On yet another question on the surety of the SAARC Summit taking place on schedule, he said that South Asia has many surprises to offer to the world.