*ISLAMABAD:* Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday said he tried to reach outto New Delhi since the day he assumed office but received a ‘bad response’after which he decided to wait until after the Indian election ‘for agesture from their side’, The Hindu reported.
“I am ready for talks on any issue. However, the gesture for peace cannotbe one-sided,” the prime minister told representatives of Indian media hereat the PM Office on Thursday.
Imran Khan stressed on his country’s commitment to and desire for peace,saying it was not in Pakistan’s interest to let its soil be used forterrorism, according to The Indian Express. “It is not in our interest toallow the use of Pakistan’s territory for terror outside. People inPakistan want peace with India. The mindset of people here has changed,” hesaid.
To a question put forth by India Today TV on what actions his governmentwas taking with respect to the chief of the banned Jamaatud Dawa (JuD),Hafiz Saeed, considered by India to be the mastermind of the 26/11 attacks,the prime minister said there was a legal case against him in Pakistan.“There are UN sanctions against Hafiz Saeed. There is already a clampdownon the Jamaatud Dawa. These are the issues we have inherited,” he said,adding that his government cannot be held responsible for the past. “Ican’t be held responsible for the past … hold me to account if I break mypromises now,” he said.
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When asked whether there would be a ‘grand gesture’ by Pakistan in dealingwith Hafiz Saeed or Dawood Ibrahim, Prime Minister Khan said that suchgestures can be made ‘only up to a certain point’ following whichreciprocity must be demonstrated. “India must reciprocate… we understandtill your elections in 6 months but after that, we need a response,” IndiaToday TV quoted him as having said.
