Tag: dialogue

Political dialogue cannot happen with a ‘gun to your head’: Pak FM Bilawal on CJP’s request

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Islamabad: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Thursday that his party was trying to build consensus among the country’s political leadership on holding elections, but asserted that any dialogue would be futile if it is carried out “with a gun to your head”.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman’s remarks came as the country’s Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial requested political leaders to hold negotiations earlier in the day after the Supreme Court resumed hearing a petition seeking to hold general elections for all national and provincial assemblies simultaneously.
Justice Bandial said that there could be no obstinacy in negotiations and that consensus could be built through bilateral talks, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.

He asked the political leaders to meet and negotiate on Thursday rather than after Eid. During the hearing, he said the elections could be held in July after Eid.
Despite Justice Bandial’s request, no dialogue was held between the highly-polarised political parties.
Later, the hearing was adjourned till April 27 after Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan and PPP lawyer Farooq H Naek met Justice Bandial in his chamber and sought more time to hold dialogue with the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party led by ousted prime minister Imran Khan to evolve consensus on the matter, the report said.
“We have made attempts in the past to unify the political leadership [on elections] and are willing to do that again, but dialogue cannot take place with a gun to your head as no one will agree,” Bilawal, 34, said.
He said the PPP supports holding elections on the same day and is prepared to talk to anyone to achieve this goal.

“Our efforts are aimed at saving democracy, which is currently in danger,” he said.
Bilawal hoped that the CJP would establish consensus within his institution before leaving his post.
“Our history has never witnessed such fragmentation within the judiciary. The Supreme Court is currently undergoing a trial before the people,” he said.
Pakistan is currently in the grip of political and economic instability, compounded by the bitter tension between the judiciary and executive over the date of elections in the Punjab province.
Parliament and the judiciary are divided over the holding of elections in the two provinces as the former has refused to authorise the funds to meet the expenditures.
The deadlock has increased political instability and with the economy already in freefall, the threat of default of the country has increased.
The federal government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserts that it has the power to delay the polls and hold them after August.
However, Khan’s PTI party was pushing for early polls and demanding that instead of delaying the Punjab elections, the National Assembly should be dissolved and general elections called in the country.
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#Political #dialogue #happen #gun #Pak #Bilawal #CJPs #request
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 20, 2023
LAB Gets MHA Call To Submit Revised Proposal On Ladakh Dialogue

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SRINAGAR: After the widespread protests by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), for the Sixth Schedule like status to the UT of Ladakh and fulfillment of other long pending demands, the Union Home Ministry has sought for a revised proposal from the two bodies thus initiating a fresh dialogue.
As per media reports the development came after a 30-member delegation from LAB initially met the Lieutenant Governor B D Mishra in Leh and briefed him about the issues including four-point agenda of LAB and KDA which included Statehood for Ladakh, Constitutional safeguards under Sixth Schedule status, two Parliamentary seats for the UT (one each for Leh and Kargil) and employment opportunities for the local youth.
The two bodies have also been demanding inclusion of some of its members in the High Power Committee (HPC).
LG Mishra, as per media reports briefed the MHA in Delhi about the four point agenda of the two bodies and within 24 hours of the meeting the major breakthrough from the MHA came.
Media reports said that a high level meeting in this regard is expected to take place in the next week of April. Home Ministry might revise HPC and issue fresh agenda and incorporate names given by LAB and KDA among others to initiate stalled dialogue with the two bodies.
Pertinently,after reading down of article 370, the Leh Apex body was formed with the support of all religious, political, and social organisations. Then on the first anniversary of Article 370 abrogation Kargil decided to observe it as a black day. Subsequently after proper deliberations, the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) was formed.
In August 2020, the Leh LAB and KDA held a meeting at the Grand Dragon hotel Leh and came up with agreement on the four-point common agenda.
Meanwhile, LAB has called meeting with KDA leaders shortly to draft the proposal before submission to the Union Home Ministry, media reports said.

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#LAB #MHA #Call #Submit #Revised #Proposal #Ladakh #Dialogue
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

April 1, 2023
Saudi Arabia to become SCO dialogue partner

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Riyadh: The cabinet of Saudi Arabia’s government has approved a memorandum granting the country the status of a dialogue partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, according to Saudi Gazette, citing Saudi Press Agency.
The Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman at Al-Salam Palace on Tuesday, approved the cooperation agreement between the Presidency of State Security in the Kingdom and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in India for combating terrorist crimes and its financing.
According to the Saudi Gazette, the cabinet has amended article 4 of the provisions regulating the National Tobacco Control Committee to, “The committee shall have a secretariat based in the Public Health Authority in Riyadh.”
At the beginning of the session, the Cabinet reviewed the details of telephone conversations between the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman and the president of the Republic of France, the prime minister of the Republic of Iraq and the president of the People’s Republic of China.
The discussions centred around relations, areas of partnership, and opportunities to strengthen cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reported Saudi Gazette.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, Minister of Media Salman Bin Yousef Al-Dosari said that the Cabinet also reviewed the outcomes of the 155th Session of the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and discussed the developments in joint Gulf action and political issues in the regional and international arenas.
The Cabinet reviewed the latest international developments. It condemned attempts to burn copies of the Holy Qur’an. It stressed the need to consolidate the values of dialogue, tolerance, and respect and reject everything that spreads hatred and extremism.
The Cabinet has also authorised the minister of energy, and chairman of the board of directors of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy to discuss and sign with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) a draft agreement between King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy and the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Program.

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#Saudi #Arabia #SCO #dialogue #partner
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 31, 2023
Israeli Prez urges immediate dialogue between PM, oppn over contentious judicial overhaul

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Jerusalem: Israeli President Isaac Herzog has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leaders to immediately engage in a dialogue, a day after the government suspended a contentious plan to overhaul the judiciary.
Herzog’s office said in a statement on Tuesday that the first meeting with teams of representatives from the ruling coalition, Yair Lapid’s centrist party of Yesh Atid and Benny Gantz’s National Unity party will meet at the president’s residence in Jerusalem later in the day, reports Xinhua news agency.
Herzog said he would work “in broad cooperation for the benefit of forging as broad agreements as possible, with the aim of rescuing Israel from the deep crisis.” He urged both coalition and opposition “to show responsibility” and agree to compromise.
On Monday night, following a day of unprecedented strikes and protests that led to the shutdown of the airport and chaotic situations in some parts of the country, Netanyahu announced in a live televised address that he was suspending the legislation of the controversial plan until April 30.
Netanyahu said he has decided to suspend the legislation in order to “allow time to try and reach a broad agreement” on the reforms.
“In any case,” the legislation blitz will resume after the Knesset, or Parliament, reconvene after the Passover holiday break on April 30, he said.
The overhaul, proposed by the ruling coalition and aimed at curbing judicial power, has divided the country for weeks, with tens of thousands taking to the streets in demonstrations and blocking major highways across Israel and rallying outside the Knesset in Jerusalem.
On Monday, factories, banks, shopping malls and local authorities participated in the general strike and shut down services.

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#Israeli #Prez #urges #dialogue #oppn #contentious #judicial #overhaul
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 29, 2023
Doors Of Admin Open For Dialogue On Property Tax: LG

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Reviews Ongoing Construction Work Of Tawi Riverfront, Jambu Zoo
Jammu, March 11 (GNS): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha On Saturday said that the doors of administration were open for dialogue with regard to property tax. He also conducted on-site inspection of key projects in Jammu and reviewed ongoing construction work of Jambu Zoo, Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and Tawi Riverfront Project.
“The interests of the people of J&K have been given top priority while framing the property tax policy. The tax amount fixed is one-tenth of the tax being paid by the people in Shimla, Ambala, and Dehradun,” he said, adding, “We have issued toll-free numbers and sought suggestions from the public if they feel there is a scope for improvement. If there is a need for any relief, we will definitely give it to the public,” he said, reiterating that “his doors are open for dialogue on the issue”.
Earlier the Lt Governor ascertained the progress of the work being carried out at all the three sites, and laid emphasis on timely completion of the projects.
Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Government Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment briefed the Lt Governor on the progress of Jambu Zoo. He informed that the high level team of Central Zoo Authority will be visiting for the final inspection this month and the entire process will be completed within the time frame.
During his visit at the construction site of Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, the Lt Governor interacted with the temple officials and asked them to start construction of a Gurukul and Health Centre simultaneously.
Later, the Lt Governor made an inspectional visit to Tawi Riverfront project site, which envisages to reduce erosion & flood and to provide socio-cultural amenities for sustainable development of the city.
The vibrant riverfront will ensure urban infrastructure sustainability. Once completed, the project will provide unique business opportunities and help in overall social upliftment. With social infrastructure and recreation facilities, Tawi Riverfront will enhance the quality of life of the citizens, said the Lt Governor.

Rahul Yadav, Commissioner JMC gave a detailed presentation on the ongoing works of the project.
The Lt Governor said the progress on all the projects visited today is satisfactory.
The aspirations of the people of Jammu would be fulfilled soon. These projects will boost the Tourism in Jammu and the footfall of tourists from outside will increase the economic activities and income of the people, the Lt Governor said.
Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary to the Government, Jal Shakti Department; Dr. Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor; Sh Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu and other senior officials accompanied the Lt Governor during his visits. (GNS)
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#Doors #Admin #Open #Dialogue #Property #Tax
( With inputs from : thegnskashmir.com )

March 11, 2023
People’s Interest ‘Top Priority’, Doors Open For Dialogue: LG Sinha On Property Tax

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SRINAGAR: While reiterating stand on recently imposed property tax in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said “People’s interest is the top most priority of the government and has been duly taken care of”. He said the administration has issued a toll free number and people have been asked to put forth their suggestions if any as “doors are yet open for a dialogue”
Talking to media persons in Jammu, the Lieutenant Governor Sinha said “I do not speak on political issues. I reiterate that people’s concern is the top most priority of present dispensation. Their concerns have been well taken care of. The rate of tax in J&K is less than Ambala, Dehradun and Shimla”.
“There are 1,01,000 commercial properties in J&K out of which less than 40,000 are those who have to pay 700 rupees annually as property tax. Further there are 36,000 properties who have to pay 2000 rupees annually, which however is much less than states like Ambala, Dehradun and Shimla,” Sinha said.
“People’s concern is our priority. We have issued a toll free number to get feedback and suggestions from people, if any. Doors are yet open for dialogue,” LG Sinha said.
About uproar on APTECH Ltd. the LG Sinha said court has intervened into the matter who gave a verdict on yesterday. (KNS)

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#Peoples #Interest #Top #Priority #Doors #Open #Dialogue #Sinha #Property #Tax
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

March 11, 2023
In favour of constructive dialogue between India and Pakistan: US

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Washington: The United States supports a constructive dialogue and meaningful conversation between India and Pakistan, the Biden administration said Thursday reiterating that it’s for New Delhi and Islamabad to decide on the nature of that dialogue.
The US is ready to play its role if they agree, it added.
State Department Spokesperson Ned Price, in response to a question, refused any meditating role for the US for talks between India and Pakistan.
“Because these are decisions for the countries themselves. If they agree on a particular role for the United States, the United States is prepared to, as a partner to both countries, support that process in any way that we responsibly can,” Price told reporters at a news conference.
“Analysts believe that the United States has the power and authority to mediate between the two partners. Pakistan and India are partners of yours, so why don’t you just mediate?” he was asked.
“Ultimately, it is not for the United States to determine the modalities or the way in which India and Pakistan engage one another. What we support is constructive dialogue, meaningful diplomacy between India and Pakistan, in the first instance to resolve longstanding conflicts,” Price said.
The United States, he said, supports constructive dialogue. “We support diplomacy between India and Pakistan to resolve, again, another set of longstanding disputes. We are a partner. We are willing to support that process in any way that they deem appropriate. But ultimately, these are decisions that India and Pakistan themselves are going to have to make,” he said.

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#favour #constructive #dialogue #India #Pakistan
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 10, 2023
MEA’s flagship geo-economics event ‘Asia Economic Dialogue’ to be held from Feb 23-25

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New Delhi: Ministry of External Affairs’ flagship event on geo-economics — Asia Economic Dialogue — will be held from February 23-25 in Pune where themes such as global growth prospects and meeting climate targets will be discussed.
The Asia Economic Dialogue (AED) is the ministry’s annual event and is hosted in collaboration with the Pune International Centre.
The principal theme for the Dialogue’s seventh edition is Asia and the Emerging World Order’, a Ministry of External Affairs statement said.
The dialogue will also discuss themes such as global growth prospects; How the Global South will shape the G20 agenda; the Metaverse: Understanding the Future; and Meeting climate targets: The Road Ahead.
The inaugural session would be a conversation between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Bhutan’s Finance Minister Lyonpo Namgay Tshering and Maldivian Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer.
More than 44 speakers from various countries, including Brazil, the US, the UK, South Africa, Bhutan, Maldives, Switzerland, Singapore, and Mexico, will be participating in the dialogue.
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#MEAs #flagship #geoeconomics #event #Asia #Economic #Dialogue #held #Feb
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 22, 2023
‘We are not at war’: Muslim leaders keen on continuing dialogue with RSS

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New Delhi: The Muslim organisations feel that the dialogue with the RSS should continue and there should be an early resolution of the issues leading to conflict between the two communities.
Jamat e Islami Hind, whose representative met RSS leaders, said, “we are of the opinion that the dialogue should continue with the RSS as they hold influence on the government.”
In his clarification he said: “We are not at war so we hope the dialogue will give positive results.”
Another Muslim intellectual who once met these leaders said on condition of anonymity that on the cow slaughter issue the community should come up with a detailed response as Muslims are not involved in the cases and it has now become a business issue. He said that issue is likely to be discussed at the Sunday meeting of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board in Lucknow.
The response comes after eminent Muslim citizens and religious organizations met RSS leader Indresh Kumar on January 14 at the residence of former Delhi LG Najeeb Jung and discussed the issue of harmony within the communities.
The Muslim side was represented by Jamaat e Islami leader Mohtashim Khan, Jamiat Ulema Hind’s both factions were there in the meeting including Niyaz Faruqui and Fazlurrahman Qasmi, Shahid Siddiqui, SY Qureshi. Najeeb Jung was also at the meeting alongwith eminent persons from the AMU and the representative of Ajmer Dargah, Salman Chisti.
Sources said the Muslim side openly wanted an appeal from the RSS and its affliates against the lynchings and also wanted the government to stop hate propaganda on television daily. The RSS was represented by Indresh Kumar, Krishna Gopal and Ram Lal.
The RSS raised the issue of cow slaughter and the use of the word kafir for the majority in India. The Muslim side said that declare the cow a national animal so that there is a uniform law on the issue and added that they will ask their community not to use the word kafir publicly.

Shahid Siddiqui, one of the participants, told IANS, “there was consensus to continue the talks which both sides accept so that there should be harmony. “
The Muslim side did not respond to the Kashi and Mathura issues and said disputes should be settled in court when the RSS leaders said that they should be handed over to them.
This is an ongoing dialogue since the Sangh leaders met Muslim leaders on August 22. Sources said that Najeeb Jung and other Muslim intellectuals met Arshad Madani prior to this meeting when Madani insisted that the statement should be made public so there is an assurance to the community.
The Muslims raised the issue of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. It was read there in which they accepted that the Sangh leader’s interview was quoted out of context.
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#war #Muslim #leaders #keen #continuing #dialogue #RSS
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 5, 2023
Why Pak is demanding reversal of abrogation of Art 370 for resuming dialogue with India

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Ever since Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made an offer to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to hold “serious and sincere” talks to resolve burning issues, including Kashmir, on January 16, there has been a lot of buzz as to how the two countries should resume their long- suspended dialogue to ease the relations. Within a day after Sharif made this offer, during the course of an interview with the UAE based TV network, “Al-Arabiya”, Pakistan PM’s office stated that there cannot be any dialogue with India unless or until Delhi reverses all the decisions on August 5, 2019.
The August 5, 2019 decisions made by New Delhi can be decoded quite easily. The Special status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, granted and guaranteed by Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, was scrapped. All the symbols of special status – separate constitution, separate flag and all-powerful state legislature which had the powers to frame its own laws, facilitate or stall the federal laws,- were done away with. Alongside, the special privileges of the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir to have sole right to their land and jobs were also withdrawn. That, in simple words, translated this complicated situation, that the people of Jammu and Kashmir, on this side of the Line of Control were Indianized” in all senses of the words. They were as privileged or ordinary citizens as the people in the rest of the country.
Why Pakistan is insisting on the reversal of the August 5, 2019 decisions and making it as a condition for resumption of the dialogue with India. The nation that had been calling for the implementation of the UN resolutions on Kashmir, that is, to grant right to self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, scaled down its demand to the restoration of the special status and the statehood. There is a method in this. Pakistan was never in favour of Article 370 which determined the constitutional relation between J&K and Delhi until August 5, 2019. Sudden love for Article 370 of the Indian constitution, are based on its own logics. It fears that Kashmir would lose its Muslim-majority character as the new laws have opened floodgates for Indians from other parts of the country to buy land and set up their businesses. Pakistan has always counted, the Muslim-majority character of Jammu and Kashmir, as an asset. It had made the similar argument in 1947 while claiming that the state should be part of Pakistan. The Muslim-majority character of J&K also gives it a religion-driven argument to highlight Kashmir issue.
Islamabad, no doubt, has sensed that the Indianization of the Kashmiri Muslims in fullest terms, would leave it with no stakes on Kashmir and it may find edged out of the whole discourse and discussions on Kashmir. It wants to inflict on the growing sense of the Indianness in J&K The optics have started changing already. It is difficult to discern that all this is voluntary or manifestation of some kind of inner feelings, but the fact remains that greatest symbol of Indian nationalism- the national tricolor, is becoming visible almost everywhere in the Valley. There is no challenge to it. These optics have become more pronounced and profound when contrasted with the past, and also that how the world has come to see Kashmir in the post-Article 370 abrogation. All the fears that Kashmir will be a land red with blood once its special status is revoked have come untrue. People exercised their wisdom, avoided clashes and saved themselves from death and destruction.
Pakistan is angry over it, and that’s why it is making all sorts of excuses in suppressing prospects of dialogue with India
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#Pak #demanding #reversal #abrogation #Art #resuming #dialogue #India
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 27, 2023