The ruling National Conference (NC) has welcomed the decision of Pakistan Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif's decision to attend the swearing in of the new Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi. And has termed it ‘significant and positive development’In a statement issued, the Additional General Secretary of NC, Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal has said that National Conference was a strong votary of continued contact between the governments in New Delhi and Islamabad. “Speaking to various public delegations who called on Dr. Kamal at NC Head Office today, Dr. Mustafa Kamal reiterated NC's commitment to peace and harmony in the region. Dr. Kamal said that Nawaz Sharif was a part of a series of bilateral dialogue processes with New Delhi in the past and his desire for sustained friendship with New Delhi was an appreciable stand,” the statement issued reads.
He said that the people of J&K were the biggest beneficiaries of cordial relations between India and Pakistan and conversely were also the worst victims of animosity between the two neighbors. “This opportunity, where the Pakistan Prime Minister is visiting New Delhi should be utilized to initiate a new process of talks and negotiations between the two countries,” he said.Speaking to the delegations, Kamal said that it has been observed that whenever the two countries come closer to each other there are vested interests who fuel turmoil and orchestrate sabotage to disrupt talks between India and Pakistan. "It is the need of the hour to dis-incentivize these vested interests and their acts by pledging to continue talking to each other despite isolated radical voices who opposed such initiatives and fuel animosity between the two neighbors", he said.
Mustafa Kamal said that the defense spending by both India and Pakistan is phenomenally high as a share of their respective budgets every year and one of the fruits of good relations would be a curtailed Defense Spending. "Money spent on arms and ammunition could be spent to eradicate poverty and usher both countries into new eras of inclusive growth and equitable development", the NC leader said.