Washington, Sep 27 (IANS) Pakistan’s self-exiled former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has said she wanted to see a treaty between India and Pakistan in the 60th year of their Independence that “promises” peace for the coming generations.
“In the 60th year of Pakistan’s and India’s independence, we would like to see India and Pakistan come to a treaty that can promise peace to coming generations,” Bhutto said at a press conference at the Middle East Institute.
“(Late Indian premier) Rajiv Gandhi and I worked to turn the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) from a cultural organisation to an economic one during the retreat of December 1988 of SAARC leaders,” she said, according to Online news agency.
“India and Pakistan have come a long way since 1988 since (the then) prime minister (late) Rajiv Gandhi and I tried to build peace in the region and were criticised by parts of the military establishment and also our political opponents,” she added.
“We support the composite dialogue so long it is supported by the people of Jammu and Kashmir and we would like to see the dialogue make progress,” Bhutto said. “However, if progress is slow it should not preclude programmes on India Pakistan and the South Asian agenda.”