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Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday said he wants India and Pakistan to leave the Indian Premier League controversy behind and move towards building better relations between the neighbours.
Gilani, in an interview to CNN-IBN, said the misunderstandings can be addressed only through a composite dialogue. Gilani said, "I think composite dialogue is the only answer. We both are responsible nations, we can only move forward. We cannot afford a war, the only way forward is talks."
When asked whether Pakistan overreacted to a decision by private owners of IPL teams, Gilani said, " That's the mood of the parliament and the public and we have to follow their point of view as well, but I am confident with time, things would be alright." He added, "Cricket diplomacy is important, it always has been between India and Pakistan."
Gilani was however not forthcoming about Pakistan's hockey team taking part in world cup hockey being held in Delhi. He said, "We are considering that but can't comment at the moment."
Gilani said his earlier comments that Pakistan cannot prevent another Mumbai like attack was "a reaction to some of the comments made by the Indian leadership."
"Your leaders are saying that if there is any incident in future, there is no difference between state and non state actors which is not right. I was of the opinion that if there is any credible information, we are ready to share it with India and that should be pre-empted before time. If India has any information, they can share with us. We too are ready to share all information with India. Let us start sharing more information and work together in the war on terror," Gilani said.
On the 26/11 probe, Gilani said Pakistan wants India to give further information to strengthen the case. He appreciated the fact that India has given them six dossiers, but made it clear that it was not enough.
"We appreciate that, but at the same time, we ask for something more, and we hope we will be giving that evidence," he said.
Gilani said chief of banned outfit Jamaat-ud-Dawaah Hafiz Saeed is already under trial and whether to arrest him or not has to be decided by the court. When asked whether his government will be open to India's request on Hafiz Saeed, Gilani said, "We need further information about his role in that incident (26/11) and at the same time we need more evidence to put him to task."
The Pakistan prime minister maintained that his country would not allow his soil to be used for terrorist activity. "We have given this assurance. We are fighting our own war on terror, we have to face Mumbai like attacks on a daily basis," he said.
Gilani stressed over and over again about the need for a composite dialogue. "I think back channel diplomacy would not be that useful. We should have direct talks with them that would be more useful. We want to resolve issues, we don't have to complicate issues," he said.
Gilani also said Pakistan has nothing to do with the recent spate of attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. "There had been some irresponsible statements from the Indian Army. There is a tension because of that and at the same time that is an indigenous movement in Kashmir that has nothing to do with Pakistan. We are to busy in our own matters, fighting terror in our own country. We want resolution of Kashmir dispute," he said.
On the Sharm-el-Sheikh meeting with Manmohan Singh, Gilani said, "It was a good meeting and he really wanted to discuss all issues including water, Siachen, Sir Creek, Kashmir and Balochistan. We are ready to discuss anything, but Dr Singh had tremendous pressure in his own country, with his own parliament, and that may have stalled the dialogue."
On the contentious issue of Balochistan, he said, "I am convinced of India's role in Balochistan, I will share the evidence at the appropriate time."
Image: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani