JEDDAH, 8 September 2004 — Pakistan is on the road to democracy and it has ways of adapting to and adopting democratic principles and values like any other country, according to its new Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

“We’ve our own way and need no lessons in democracy. We know what we need to do and also know how to reflect the views of our people,” Aziz told Arab News in a wide-ranging interview in Jeddah yesterday.

He spoke at length on Pakistan’s close ties with Saudi Arabia and other brotherly countries, its trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council, its bonds with the United States and its new phase of relations with India. He insisted that Kashmir was the core issue and its resolution could create an environment to have a sustainable, institutionalized relationship between the two countries.

Aziz said Pakistan was a peace loving country that abhorred terrorism and violence of any kind.

He emphasized that his country’s economy was stronger now than ever, but there was need to attract more investments, especially overseas.

The exclusive interview covered a number of vital issues. Excerpts:

Arab News: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have been traditional allies and both have been strong partners in the war on terror. The political ties between the two countries are excellent but they do not reflect on bilateral trade. How can it be strengthened further?

Answer: The trade figures are heading positively. Our exports to Saudi Arabia go up to half a billion dollars and are increasing. I think when you look at the overall comprehensive economic relations, let me start with trade. We as two brotherly nations have institutionalized things of interest and we have just started the process of doing that through the GCC. We are entering into a trade agreement with the GCC, which will allow preferential tariffs on products from the GCC into Pakistan and from Pakistan into the GCC. The WTO environment affords a new way to expand and helps promote trade. Once you get the free trade agreement then it is between the private sectors. It also means exchange of visits between entrepreneurs. Our discussion then is about what can be exported and what is viable. This is because today Pakistan has a free trade environment like Saudi Arabia. You can import from anywhere and export to anywhere. So goods have to be of world-class, and competitively priced. I think we are heading toward the right direction. We view the GCC free trade agreement talks as very important to raise the level of trade between Pakistan and the GCC.

Of course, Saudi Arabia accounts for the bulk of the GCC trade. Saudi Arabia is now producing a multitude of goods. These are largely oil-based. But soon products of SABIC and others can go to Pakistan. Chemicals that are made here can go to Pakistan, and from Pakistan we can send a lot of consumer goods including textiles, readymade garments, shoes, and fruits and vegetables that are very popular. So we need to broaden the base on both sides. I think we are taking the right steps.

Q: Relations between India and Pakistan have lately improved and both sides are now sincerely focusing on the contentious Kashmir issue. Nevertheless, both sides continue to assert their stated positions and there appears little possibility of a significant shift on the issue. What do you intend to do to make the talks successful and what will be your government’s course of action if the talks fail?

A: Since January this year when the president of Pakistan met the then prime minister of India in Islamabad and we had a declaration on how we see the relationship going forward, progress has been made. We have started flights, there is traffic between the two countries and there is people-to-people contact. We also agreed at that time to have a composite dialogue with India with a ministerial session comprising both countries’ foreign ministers. And we have agreed to keep this dialogue going. Discussions and dialogues are an ongoing process. We believe that all issues between each other have to be resolved. The issue of Jammu and Kashmir is the core issue and its solution will help create an environment for a sustainable institutionalized relationship between the two countries.

The people of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered a lot and made a lot of sacrifices. Their situation needs attention. You have to look at the root cause of why relations between the two countries cannot reach a level. But overall we can say the atmosphere is much better now than before. It has good implications for both countries and allows them to devote energies to commercial activities and cultural exchanges. However, it has to be in tandem with the progress on the Kashmir issue.

Q: Pakistan is a key US ally in the war on terror and has handed over a large number of Al-Qaeda suspects to America. It is alleged that the FBI has been given a free hand to arrest whoever it suspects of being linked to Al-Qaeda and there are complaints that many people who have nothing to do with the group have been detained on suspicion. What do you say on that?

A: Pakistan is a peace loving country. We abhor any form of terrorism and violence. Every civilized society calls for that. Our cooperation with all countries aims at promoting peace and growth, and preventing such forces from conducting their activities and destabilizing the world. Pakistan is an Islamic country. We are very proud of our heritage and background. We want Islam to be presented in its true light. So when incidents take place, they create an impression that perhaps Islam is the reason for the violence, that there are people who don’t understand the values of the modern world. We need to correct such impressions.

President Pervez Musharraf, at the last OIC summit, talked about enlightened moderation, which is that the Islamic world should look at itself in an enlightened and moderate way without compromising on the values that Islam teaches us. As regards cooperation with any particular country, let me tell you that we guard our sovereignty jealously. We never allow any country to come and conduct activities on our soil that are prejudicial to our national interests and compromises on our sovereignty. No nation can and should allow it. And Pakistan is no exception. I would totally dismiss any speculation or charges that any particular agency or anybody has the right to walk in and walk out with anybody they want. No. Naturally, when we capture somebody, we have an extradition treaty where we have other arrangements. We follow them. Pakistan is peace loving. We want to see a peaceful world, because together all of us can progress.

Q: Politicians, especially from the MMA are claiming that Pakistan is being used as a tool by the United States in the war on terror and they are being indiscriminately targeted. What is your position on that?

A: I think the opposition parties obviously will always have a view or issue. We do have it too. We believe that no country can afford to support any terrorist activities, because that undermines the basic fabric of any society. And today such activities are a threat to the world. These people have directly impacted Pakistan, because of its location and proximity to Afghanistan and the post 9/11 events. We have done a tremendous job in containing people who are not promoting peace in the world or in the place they belong to. We are pursuing a policy of national interest and security and protecting our sovereignty. It is only common sense that for any state to have law and order it has to have a civilized society. That’s all what we have done.

Q: The previous democratic government always yielded to political expediency and that resulted in corruption. What does your government intend to do in order not to repeat such past practices?

A: I have been a minister in various governments in the last five years. And our record under the leadership of President Musharraf for the last three and a half years has been good. By the grace of God, we have a clean government. It is very transparent. We intend to ensure transparency in every form. And we want to have good governance, and one of the essentials of good governance is transparency and open management style so that people see for themselves what the government is doing for them. Naturally, like in any civilized society we condemn corruption in any form. In Pakistan we haven’t had any major scandal in the last five years because the public is very conscious of it and through transparency the press is very active which we welcome. So, obviously, we want to ensure the best level of governance in the country.

Q: With Pakistan having a president and a prime minister not from the mainstream politics, will it be a boon for Pakistan, for politicians have been wielding the levers of power?

A: We are a political government. The president is the head of state and has a major role to play. Whatever we intend to do as a government will reflect the political realities. If you look at our Cabinet, we are all very experienced and efficient. Our main agenda is Pakistan and we want to do whatever it takes to have Pakistan reach its full potential to establish its credibility in the world and the Muslim Ummah. We think it is doable. We will pursue the policies that will allow us to achieve this objective.

Q: President Musharraf has promised a democratic setup in Pakistan. It has been claimed that the process is already in place with the smooth transition of power from Jamali to Shujaat to you. What sort of system do you envisage for Pakistan — full democracy, limited democracy, or something else. Is there a model you would prefer Pakistan to embrace?

A: I think Pakistan is on the road to democracy. Every country has ways of adapting to and adopting democratic principles and values. We have our own. Pakistan needs no lesson in democracy. We know what we need to do. We know how to reflect the views of our people. Pakistan has had free and fair elections. All parties are free to criticize and comment on government policies. In fact, the press in Pakistan is very, very active which we encourage. Pakistan’s democracy is adapted to our needs. I think we have to get away from this complex of syndromes that what happens in Westminster and Capitol Hill and Bundestag and the Diet is applicable in every other country. We have to evolve our own way of using democratic values and principles. Pakistan is a country where even right from the local level we have elected office-bearers to the provincial level and also to the federal level. So we are very comfortable with the democratic process. In Pakistan we have elected assemblies. We are very active. They represent the people’s interests and views, and this is what the country has to build on and has to develop. But we will adapt to and adopt whatever system to suit our needs.

Q: After the India-Pakistan cricket series, dubbed the Friendship Series, much was expected by the people from both the countries. But the hopes are flickering as each side is engaged in asking the other to refrain from negative statements. What has led to this state of affairs?

A: On cricket we had a great series. India won the series. They played better. The cricket series, if you go deeper, really created the people-to-people contact. The Indians were surprised how well the crowds cheered them and the sportsman spirit was very, very good. Now, I am told we’ll have a hockey series soon. Well, these cultural and sports exchanges help build the level of contacts, which is conducive to development of overall relationship.

Q: Pakistan’s economy is stronger now than ever, thanks to your prudent economic policy. However, there are many issues that need to be addressed. The overseas Pakistanis can help in bolstering the economy through remittances. How do you intend to involve them in nation building?

A: We made progress on that last year when we got almost a billion dollars, but that is one of the reasons we are here, and I just spoke to the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry and we will be talking to government officials also. We need to increase investment. Pakistan needs investment more than aid. We welcome investments based on adequate returns. People who would come should benefit and profit. That will help create jobs, expand our economy and get wealth in return. We are working on it and Insha Allah we will continue to do better.