On the possibility of any breakthrough in the forthcoming ministerial deliberations with India at the UN, Dawn paraphrased Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on September 14: “Differences between Pakistan and India could be resolved only through dialogue... He didn’t expect a breakthrough in talks on the sidelines of the UN general assembly later this month, but there were chances of ‘incremental progress’... Indian intellectuals and think-tanks were raising their voice for resumption of dialogue... Indian PM Manmohan Singh also believed dialogue was the only way forward. Other options were dangerous and suicidal.” To questions on a proposed train between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh Daily Times reported him as saying: “A conducive environment was required.”

Spoken too Mush

In the month of Ramzan, considered a period of revelation, President Zardari provided one such revelation at an iftar he hosted for journalists, as reported by Dawn on September 15: “President Zardari confirmed that the ‘safe exit’ of Pervez Musharraf was the result of a ‘deal’ arranged by international powers with interests in South Asia. He didn’t name the players but said they were ‘guarantors’. He said they had decided ‘Musharraf would play golf in his post-presidential life...’ It is believed that because of interventions by Saudi Arabia and the US, both the PPP-led government and Nawaz Sharif have softened their stance and there is a notable reduction in the rhetoric against Musharraf.” The News added: “The president said he would ask the PM to establish a ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ to promote the process of national healing and unity... This Commission should be headed by Asma Jehangir, he said.”

... contd.