Nawaz Sharif... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Müslim League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
has called for improved ties with India and Afghanistan.
He wants to own Afghanistan -- it's "strategic depth." India's where the money is, and he's likely finally come to the conclusion that starting wars with it isn't going to put any of that money into his pocket.
During his meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Nawaz said that Turkey and Pakistain were tied in cordial relations, adding that both countries stood by each other through thick and thin.
The former Pakistain prime minister also said that existing economic, social, political and cultural ties among the countries in the region should be developed to resolve the issues that might lead to terrorism.
Nawaz gave two concrete examples regarding Pakistain's foreign policy concerning its two immediate neighbours, Afghanistan and India.
He pointed out that Pakistain and Afghanistan had always had organic ties with regard to culture and social life, adding that Pak policy regarding Afghanistan was not limited to one or another political party, rather it was Afghani people-specific.
"If there is no peace in Afghanistan, there can't be any peace or stability in Pakistain either," Pakistain Today quoted the PML-N chief, as saying.
About Islamabad's relations with New Delhi, Nawaz said that both India and Pakistain should find a way to resolve their differences on all issues, including Kashmire, in a peaceful way.
"There will be no economic growth in South Asia unless Pakistain and India solve their differences," he said, terming the two countries very important for each other in particular, and for the region in general.