Peace with India is possible and can be long-lasting, provided India permits the right of self-determination to the Kashmiri people as per UN resolutions, honors the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, and stops funding terrorism in Pakistan. 

In an exclusive interview with Banglanews24.com, Lt. Gen. (Retd) Abdul Qayyum HI (M), a distinguished former senator, defense secretary to the Prime Minister, and senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN), also said that with the BJP’s Hindutva philosophy and RSS-dominated radical government in power, peace seems to be a distant prospect at present. 

Offering a candid assessment of Pakistan’s strained relations with India amidst recent conflicts and ceasefire agreements, he underscores the need for dialogue to address regional tensions and foster stability in South Asia.

Following is the full excerpt of the interview:

Q. How do you assess the current state of relations between Pakistan and India in light of recent war and ceasefire? Do you see any diplomatic solution to ease tensions?

Ans. Unfortunately current relations between India and Pakistan are at their worst. The reason is not Pakistan but Indian highly arrogant and indifferent attitude compounded by her hegemonistic designs, racist behaviour and an illusion about the so called potency of their military might. The RSS dominated Hindu leadership spews venom and foments anti Pakistan hate. Extreme radicalism in India has thus made lives of all minorities including Muslims, Sikhs and Christians highly miserable. Atrocities in Kashmir, fatal trans frontier attacks on Sikh leaders demanding independent Khalistan, mistreating Dalits and Tamils, destruction of Christian churches in Manipur and interference in internal affairs of Bangladesh has totally isolated India in South Asia. Recent conflict with Pakistan which had the potential to escalate beyond control bringing devastation to not only South Asia but also the entire globe was initiated by India after a false flag operation. India triggered largest escalation without any forensic investigation. They under estimated their adversary and thus suffered strategic humility which altered regional equation. False propaganda by their immature media not only mislead their Armed forces but also their public and naive short sighted political leadership. Pakistan is a peace loving country which firmly believes in the philosophy of peaceful co-existence. Peace with India is possible and can be long lasting provided India permits right of self-determination to Kashmiri people as per UN resolutions, honours Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan and stops funding terrorism in Pakistan. With BJP Hindutwa philosophy and RSS dominated radical government in power, peace seems to be a far cry at present. 

Q. Pakistan and India have had recurring border tensions, especially in Kashmir. What steps, in your opinion, should both nations take to prevent further escalation?

Ans. India must honour the commitments to Kashmiri people , withdraw seven lac armed forces and stop atrocities and human rights violations. India will have to withdraw changes made in their constitution inform of removing 370 and 35 A. They should allow military observers of United Nations present on both sides of LOC to operate and investigate independently all alleged violations. 

Q. Has Pakistan considered engaging with third-party mediators, such as the United Nations or friendly nations, to resolve its disputes with India? What has been the response so far?

Ans. Pakistan is always ready for meaningful bilateral talks on all bilateral and international recognised issues including Kashmir and Indus Water Treaty.

Q. Given the ongoing tensions, how are economic and trade relations between Pakistan and India being affected? Is there any scope for bilateral economic cooperation despite political challenges?

Ans. We have almost zero direct trade with India. Present one-sided aggression by Indian government against Pakistan’s sovereignty has even closed indirect trade linkages. This has worst effects on the lives of the people of the subcontinent. We want to have free trade in South Asia and make SAARC platform fully potent and effective. However, this looks to be a far cry because of arrogance of Indian BJP leadership and their war mongering. India will have to also stop masterminding, financing and fomenting terrorism in Pakistan.

Q. China has been a longstanding ally of Pakistan. How does the strategic partnership with China impact Pakistan’s regional security and economic policies?

Ans. China is a peace loving country and firmly believes in peaceful coexistence. Has profound trade ties with all continents and countries in the world including USA and India. unfortunately Modi Government also provoked China by changing the status of Ladahh Region through a constitutional amendment in 2019. China - Paksitan are undoubtedly bound in iron clad relations which is based on sincerity, mutual respect and strategic and economic consideration. Our alignment with China is not for any aggressive design against any country. OBOR , an excellent economic concept , binds not only China - Pakistan through CPEC but also almost all countries in Asia, Africa and even in Europe through other five corridors.

Q. The dynamics between the US and Pakistan have evolved over the years. Where do you see US-Pakistan relations heading, especially in terms of defense and economic cooperation? 

Ans. We have had best strategic and economic ties with US. In fifties US president Ison Hover gave Pakistan lot of military aid. Later we got advanced artillery guns, P 3 C Orions and F16 planes to ensure balance of power in South Asia. We have been non NATO ally and a frontline state fighting international terrorism. Our maximum exports go to USA due to our best trade ties. Pakistan also benefits in the field of education and health facilities available in the USA. Unfortunately when global financial centre of gravity started shifting from West to East and China became 2nd strongest world economy, US felt concerned and decided to protect their sole super power status in the uni polar world. this US - China tension enhanced India’s importance because it willingly came forward to become an American proxy to contain China. India has therefore become strategic partner of USA. Pakistan feels India has no match to China which has five times bigger economy and state of the art hypersonic superior military technologies. Pakistan is however grateful to the USA for playing a neutral role in present conflict in which Pakistan was not theatrical but doctrinal. Against Indo Israel axis of repression, Pakistan China have emerged as an axis of deterrence. Pakistan’s conventional deterrence has been legitimised. Indian doctrine of swift punitive strikes has failed. Pakistan now is a strategic equal if not better. India violated international laws and rules of war and exposed its vulnerabilities.

Lt. Gen. (Retd) Abdul Qayyum HI (M), a distinguished former senator, defense secretary to the Prime Minister, and senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN)

Q. According to you does Pakistan has any intelligence information that Indian force can again attack, as we saw in the media that Pakistan has tips in this regard.

Ans. Form Indian RSS radical Hindu leadership, which is still licking its wounds, any blunder is a possibility. Statesmen and leaders with rationale mind never talk of wars. Besides, UN Charter lays down that if any country even threatens or breaks world peace it will be subjected to diplomatic isolation, economic sanctions and even physical use of kinetic force under UN control. India must sit on the table and through dialogue try to solve all issues. War can only ensure mutual destruction. We hope Prime Minister Modi will not follow Hitlers strategies which resulted in unfortunate decimation of Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. India is a great country but BJP government’s policies are truly very destructive for not only the regional peace but also for India itself. Modi’s government can only thwart disintegration of India by stopping bull in the China shop role in the region and repressive policies and use of brutal force against internal movements like Aasam, Kashmir, Khalistan, Mizoram, Nagalan, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Arunchal Pradesh and Manipur. Indian minister of external affair Jaswant Singh who served BJP for 30 long years and was ousted because he praised Mohammed Ali Jinnah said if such a policy continued “India could have third partition."

Q. Various information has circulated in both Pakistan and India regarding the conflict. What information do you have? What kind of damage has Pakistan suffered in terms of weaponry, and what has been the human casualty?

Ans. Wars are always destructive. Chinese general Suntzu in his book ‘Art of War’ wrote that the best strategy was winning wars without fighting battles. India losses were phenomenal including state of the art Rafael planes, billions of dollars worth S400 air defence system bases, missile launching sites and terrorist camps, well known worldwide because battle field does not tell lie. Pakistan also suffered human lives including 40 civilians, 13 soldiers and minor damage to equipment. 

Q. Despite the agreement, there are allegations of ceasefire violations—what is Pakistan’s position on this?

Ans. Pakistan wants to abide by the ceasefire agreement in true letter and spirit and has directed its military command not to be provoked.

Q. Does Pakistan have any plans to overcome the recent deterioration in relations with India?

Ans. Pakistan has always desired for best bilateral ties with all neighbours including India. We condemned killing of innocent tourists in Kashmir and we are still welling for its impartial joint investigation. India rejected our proposals. Indian scholars and statesmen must advise Indian government not to become proxy of any country, and don’t try to copy Israel. Pakistan is not unarmed Gaza Strip or Palestinian state. It is fifth most populous country and seventh nuclear power. Let us talk about peace not war.

Q. Pakistan's military capabilities in the recent conflict have drawn interest in Bangladesh. Will Islamabad be willing to assist Dhaka in enhancing its defence capacity?

Ans. Bangladesh has always been close to our hearts. From 1966 to 1968 while I was doing military training in Pakistan Military academy, we had many brothers from East Pakistan doing training with us. When I visited Bangladesh in early 2000 as chairman of Pakistan Ordnance Factories, they hosted a dinner in my honour in Dacca. Officers trained in PMA, PAF Academy Risslpur, Pakistan Naval Academy and staff colleagues, were second to none in their professional acumen, valour and combat worthiness. Pakistan can never forget heroes like late Sqn Leader M M Alam who destroyed five Indian air crafts in two minutes in 1965 Indo Pak war. Pakistan can provide full military training and assistance to Bangladesh Armed Forces. Our academies and training centres are open for our brothers. Pakistan can also learn many things from Bangladesh in population control, industrial growth, commerce and financial management. Our Bengali brothers had pivotal role in creation of Pakistan. In fact, Pakistan movement started from Decca. They, therefore, have a sovereign right to call their country East Pakistan. Both countries can have constitutional confederation if they so desire and work jointly to make their people economically prosperous.

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