Clearly, Pakistan hasn't learned its lesson yet!
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In what can be called a building narrative to propagate its agenda over Kashmir, Pakistan clearly took a U-Turn after its PM Shehbaz Sharif called for "peaceful talks with India". However, the country which has been embroiled in increased terror attacks, severe economic crisis, and intensified political instability, showed its true colours when it came with its so-called conditions.
His "offer" to discuss the issues plaguing the bilateral relations came with a stance of restoration of abrogation of Article 370 which India has already stated to be an internal issue and rejected Pakistan's interference in it.
Firstly, in an interview with an Arabic news channel, Sharif attempted to draw a big picture about having "serious and sincere talks" to resolve "genuine problems" on global platforms. "My message to the Indian leadership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is let's sit down at the table and have serious and sincere talks to resolve our burning issues, like Kashmir," he said. It is pertinent to mention that such statements from Pakistan come when they are in financial trouble.
Admitting Pakistan's past mistakes, he said, "We have three wars with India and it only brought more misery, poverty, and unemployment to the people. we wish to stay in peace, but for that, we should be capable of resolving our real issues. We want to alleviate poverty, achieve prosperity, and provide education and health facilities and employment to our people and not waste our resources on bombs and ammunition, that is the message I want to give to Prime Minister Modi."
This created a huge fuss, however, the agenda got clear from Pakistan's side when it said such talks would only be possible if India restored the autonomous status of Kashmir which was revoked after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. "Without India's revocation of this step, negotiations are not possible," it said.
The Pakistan Prime Minister's Office said that talks with India can only take place after the country reverses its “illegal action of August 5, 2019”, referring to the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories- Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on August 5, 2019. "Without India’s revocation of this step, negotiations are not possible," the PMO said.
The PMO further stated, "the settlement of the Kashmir dispute must be in accordance with the UN resolutions & aspirations of people of Jammu & Kashmir." While India has not responded to the statements made by Sharif and his office, every appeal for talks meets a dead end even before it can be initiated as Pakistan continues to press for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
In this way, it presented its "true agenda" over Kashmir and clearly, it hasn't learned its lesson. So, we should stop creating a fuss about "Pakistan learning its lesson".
P.S.: In the interview, the Pakistan Prime Minister also dragged UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and went on to say that he had taken up the issue with him on his recent visit to the Emirates. "He's a brother of Pakistan. He also has good relations with India. He can play a very important role to bring the two countries to the talking table," Sharif said. His remark came a week after his visit to the UAE. However, it should be noted that there was no mention of Kashmir in Pakistan, and UAE joint statements.