Analysis of the Dialogue Between Karan Thapar and Moeed Yusuf.
The Indian Journalist Karan Thapar interviewed the Advisor on National Security and Strategic Policy Planning to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Moeed Yusuf. This was Moeed Yusuf’s first interview to Indian media and also the first dialogue between Pakistan and India after the constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. The interview was a success and a personal gain for Yusuf. He delivered Pakistan’s stance and its important messages in the interview. On the other hand, Thapar’s style was different and unusual as he was continuously interrupting the guest and he was not allowing Yusuf to complete his arguments. The interview was based on the relations between Pakistan and India.
The first question asked by Thapar from Yusuf was about the constitutional changes of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the constitutional change is more of an Indian’s internal matter so why is Pakistan so much concerned about it. He said that Pakistan has no right to question the internal affairs of India. In response to this question, Yusuf told him that the Kashmir issue was a bilateral issue. But India is trying to deal with it unilaterally. Thapar added that Pakistan is doing the same thing in Gilgit Baltistan and to answer his question, Yusuf replied that the issue of GB is a completely different issue. The problem there is that, GB has not gotten a provincial status yet but the people of GB wants to be a part of Pakistan. But in Kashmir’s case, no Kashmiri is willing to be a part of India.
Another question Thapar asked was about Kulbhushan Jadhav. He showed his concern by asking why Pakistan is not willing to provide consular access to him as directed by International Court of Justice. In response to this question, Yusuf replied that Pakistan is willing to give the consular accesses to him but the Indian government is not accepting it and is continuously delaying it. According to India, the consular must be an Indian lawyer, but according to the law of Pakistan, the lawyer must be a citizen of Pakistan.
The last question was about the Mumbai Terror Attacks of 2008 and the involvement of Pakistan in these attacks. Thapar claimed that Pakistan is supporting the terrorists and providing help to them. In response, Yusuf explained that Pakistan has nothing to do with the Mumbai Terror Attacks. Pakistan offered help in investigating the matter but India did not accept the offer. Indian government did not send any witness or proof related to this issue. Before answering the Yusuf also provided some witnesses related to Indian involvement in the APS terror attack in Peshawar.
The interview concluded with both of them talking about future peace. Yusuf told Thapar that the priority of Pakistan is to maintain peace in the region and if India is willing to shake hands and make peace with Pakistan, Pakistan will whole-heartedly accept it.
