Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, trial of alleged Jaw breakers in the civilized World is judicial process and the executive is not expected to influence this process?
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: Referring to Pakistan’s effort to normalize relations with India, the Minister for Home Affairs of India had said in the parliament that Pakistan’s sincerity in this respect would be judged from the way it deals with Sikh hijackers?
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Don’t you think Pakistan government has undermined the judicial process by giving death sentence to 3 and life imprisonment to 7 Sikh hijackers simply to please Indian rulers? Is it not a departure from the way Pakistan treated Hindu hijackers who had hijacked Indian Airlines plane in protest against Mrs. Gandhi’s arrest by the Janata government?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Bhajan Lal, has threatened that the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab will not be permitted unless Abohar and Fazilka are simultaneously transferred to Haryana?
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: Mr. Bhajan Lal’s statement goes contrary to the categorical assurance given by Rajiv Gandhi to the Members of Parliament from Punjab that the accord will be implemented on schedule?
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Do you think that Bhajan Lal is really defying Rajiv Gandhi to take the wind out of the sails of the opposition or is he saying what his master (Rajiv Gandhi) wants him to say?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose, proves
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, there has been a sudden spurt of diplomatic activity between India and Pakistan to improve relations?
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: Indian Finance Minister V.P. Singh’s visit to Pakistan was followed by the Indian Foreign Secretary Mr. Romesh Bhandari’s visit?
Ambassador: Very correct,
Journalist: Do you think these visits can really lead to normalization of relations? Will Pakistan forget about plebiscite in Kashmir or will India forget about Kashmir? Don’t you think these visits are merely to mislead the Sikh radicals?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose,
Article extracted from this publication >> January 24, 1986
