NEW DELHI, Jun 25: Pakistan High Commissioner (HC) Abdul Basit today called for early resolution of the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan, saying it was a prerequisite for lasting and durable peace in South Asia.
”Jammu and Kashmir is an issue between India and Pakistan and both the nations have accepted it, so it has to be resolved,” Mr Basit said welcoming guests at a Iftaar party at the Pakistan High Commission here.
He, however, refused to say anything, despite the reporters’ insistence, on today’s Pampore encounter in Kashmir which eight Central Reserve Police Force personnel, including an officer, Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militant outfit has claimed the responsibility for the attack.
Though invitation had been sent to all the Kashmiri leaders, but prominent faces from the state were missing. Top Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq only sent their representatives. The Iftaar was attended by people from different walks of life.
Mr Basit said India and Pakistan must solve all their problems and settle their dispute, including Jammu and Kashmir, peacefully to usher in an era of stability and prosperity in South Asia. While referring to the significance of the month of Ramzan symbolising the values of peace and restraint , he said Pakistan strongly believes in peace, stability and prosperity for all countries and for all people around the world.
”This is the essence of Pakistan’s foreign policy. This also drives our India policy. We want peace and stability between our two countries and in our region.” ”We must bequeath a peaceful and prosperous South Asia to coming generations,” he added”.
The Foreign Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan had been called off in the wake of the Pathakot attack in January. Since then, the process was yet to be resumed. India had said that Pakistan should take some concrete actions to bring the culprits to book, and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawqaz Sharif had promised to take action on the evidence provided by India, following which a Joint Investigation Team from Islamabad had visited Pathankot.
India was still waiting for a reciprocal visit of NIA to Pakstan. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, had, however, last week said that NIA has not been denied permission from Pakistan and the Foreign Secretary level talks were not cancelled from the either side. (UNI)
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