Dr. A. Z. Hilali (IR Expert): No country in the world is unwilling to hold dialogue with other countries to resolve contentious issues. Pakistan has always encouraged talks and welcomed negotiations with India on all outstanding issues, including the core Kashmir dispute. In past, Pakistan offered India to resolve bilateral issues through dialogue. However, it was India that always stepped back as it never wanted Kashmir issue to be discussed. International media has appreciated goodwill gestures of Pakistan for the sake of regional peace and stability. On the other hand, the indigenous movement of Kashmiris for their right to self-determination is getting out of Indian control. Every day, Kashmiris have been sacrificing their lives for this cause. Indian government is unable to justify deputing over 900,000 forces in IIOJ&K. Many countries have offered to help resolve Kashmir issue but India always refused the offers as it deems Kashmir its internal matter, while as per UN resolutions Kashmir is a disputed territory. The present government has taken a wise decision of not resuming trade with India until and unless New Delhi reviews its 2019 move to revoke the disputed Kashmir region’s special status. The government is firm on the stance that there can be no normalization of relations with India until it reverses its illegal actions in IIOJ&K.

Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Raza Muhammad Khan (Defense Analyst): Prime Minister Imran Khan and COAS Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa have clearly stated that peace in region is directly linked with Indian policies towards Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. India must review its unilateral decision taken on 5th of August, 2019. It is unfortunate that no positive gesture in this regard has been shown by fascist Indian government till now. The policies of incumbent government are directly related to our national interests. We have a clear narrative that implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir issue is the only solution for regional peace and stability. Government has made a wise and right decision of not resuming trade with India until New Delhi takes back its 5th August decision. It is a clear message to India and Kashmiri brethren that Pakistan will continue its moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris.

Dr. Zaeem Zia (DHO, Islamabad): Pakistan is in a critical stage as far as third wave of coronavirus is concerned. The third wave is found as most dangerous as compared to previous two waves. It is unfortunate that people are not seriously following the protocols and guidelines issued by the health experts. In Islamabad, we have capacity of administering vaccine to over 10,000 persons per day. Till now, we have administered COVID-19 vaccine to almost 40,000 people including elders and critical patients. We would also appeal to people going to centers for vaccination to wait for their turn patiently and maintain social distancing. The government needs to take strict measures in order to control the third wave of corona pandemic and most important is that people themselves must realize the importance of adopting preventive guidelines in order to stay safe  from this fatal virus.