Pakistan armed forces' media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations' (ISPR) former Director General, Major General Athar Abbas (retd) on Sunday said that dialogue with India, on levels other than the security establishment, is "a need of Pakistan", media reports said.
He made the remarks during a panel discussion - titled 'Search for peace and security among neighbours' - on the final day of the 14th Karachi Literature Festival, Dawn reported.
Abbas said: "Dialogue is, at present, a need of our country... The way forward is not just the state apparatus, because if you leave it (solely) to the security establishment, there will be no move forward. It will be like taking one step forward and two steps backwards.
"There has to be an initiative... like track II diplomacy, like media, like business and trade organisations, like academia... and they can interact and create their space within Indian society, etc.
"That builds pressure on the (Indian) government (and) state authorities that they must look into what the people are saying. This is a requirement of time that dialogue is a need of Pakistan."
If met with resistance, he said that Pakistan could also involve "external actors" such as the US and the European Union.
Asked how soon he saw any talks with the neighbours taking place, Gen Abbas said: "You cannot change your neighbour. Eventually, they will have to come to a negotiating table ... even if it feels it is a great power," Dawn reported.
The former DG ISPR remarked that instability in Pakistan would also spill over into India and vice versa, and that "we should not only wait for the establishment" and look towards other options as well.
73rd B.N. Mullik Memorial All India Police Football Championship begins, CM lauds Police's role
Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today lauded the role of Tripura Police in carrying out various social activities, apart from significantly improving the state's law and order situation.
Tripura to create, fill up 333 posts in various departments
The Tripura Government has announced plans to create and fill up 333 posts across multiple state departments. The decision was taken during a recent cabinet meeting and was revealed by Cabinet Spokesperson Sushanta Chowdhury at a press conference on Monday.
Explosions near Russian Consulate in France have signs of terrorist attack: Moscow
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday stated that explosions on the territory of the Russian Consulate General in France's Marseilles resemble a terrorist attack.
Air Force Base in Bangladesh attacked, several injured
In a major incident of lawlessness that is currently prevailing in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus, several miscreants launched an ambush attack on an Air Force Base in Cox's Bazar on the southeast coast of the country.
Indian tech industry to hit $300 bn revenue in FY26, workforce to reach 5.8 mn in FY25
The Indian tech industry is projected to reach $300 billion revenue in FY26, a Nasscom report said on Monday, adding that in the current fiscal (estimated), the industry will add at least 126,000 net new employees, taking the total workforce to 5.8 million.
Telangana tunnel collapse: L&T teams with advanced equipment join rescue operation
Two teams of construction major Larsen & Toubro with advanced equipment on Monday joined the operation to rescue eight trapped workers from an under-construction tunnel, a portion of which collapsed on February 22 in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district.
Right time to invest in Madhya Pradesh: PM Modi at Global Investors Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Global Investors Summit here highlighting investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh and urging investors to tap available potential in the state.
Govt backs India Inc. bid to become major exporter of power equipment
India is on the path to becoming a major exporter of power equipment, with global players showing strong interest in the country’s domestic manufacturing capabilities, Secretary, Ministry of Power, Pankaj Agarwal has said.