Following is the text of PML-N President Mian Mu-hammad Nawaz Sharif’s le-tter to Editor-in-Chief The Nation Majid Nizami:
August 15, 2011
Dear Majid Nizami
“I would like to invite your attention to Daily Nawa-i-Waqt editorial of August 15 and some points of your speech in a news item published on the front page of the newspaper the same day wherein I have been accounted for the speech I delivered a day earlier during a function in Lahore. I regret to point out that some points of my speech were reported out of context and these were reviewed and criticised harshly. I do not doubt your patriotism and hugely appreciate you for your profound adherence to the Ideology of Pakistan and democratic norms. The admiration and reverence I have for you, needs no mention here.
However, I am sorry to say that I have been criticised for what I have not said. The function where I delivered my speech, was attended by some Sikh delegatesvisiting from Hindustan. Addressing them, I said the God (Rubb) whom you worship, is also our God since as per the Holy Quran He is Rubbul A’ala’meen. My this sentence was distorted in such a way that as if I have pronounced Bharati gods as mine God.
In my that speech I mentioned the Kashmir issue at least thrice, and laid stress on its immediate resolution. In the same context, I also said that Bharat’s then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Lahore in 1999, and he (Vajpayee) emphasised the need to resolve the Kashmir issue within a year. This is a historic fact, and I don’t feel any itch to state it so. In this context, the Kargil misadventure also came under discussion, and due to which the whole process was sabotaged. On this, I said Bharat took a good step by constituting a commission.
Pakistan must also follow the same. I want to make clear that I did not say that the border dividing Pakistan and Bharat was our constraint. I have a strong belief in the ideology of Pakistan and its founding principles. This dogma has always been the foundation stone of my politics. In my speech, I, while sharing a light moment with the Sikhs, only said that our language was one, customs and traditions also bore similarity, but there was a border between us.
The Quaid, in an interview to an American journalist, hadsaid he wished that Pakistan and Bharat should have such neighbourly relations, like that of the United States and Canada.
Respectable Nizami Sahab! I also have a similar wish. If the issue of Kashmir is resolved judiciously, and if no hindrance is created on the canal waters of Pakistan, then peaceful relations, as a guarantee to durable peace, could be developed between the two countries as per the sayings of the Quaid.
Regarding the nuclear blasts, I said you (Indians) did, and we followed the suit. Respectable Nizami Sahab! You had advised the same. Reality is that Pakistan emerged as a recognised nuclear power on the globe. In the same way, the service I rendered for the defence of the beloved land, and to make its borders impregnable, the whole is proud of it. I will be proud of it till I draw my last breath.
I again pray for your health and long life.
Truly,
(Signature)
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. – Nation
