Kashmir remains central to ‘meaningful dialogue’ with India: FO

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office said durable peace, security and development in the region hinges on peaceful resolution of the long-standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

“We, therefore, believe that the two sides [India and Pakistan] need to discuss all outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir with a view to seek peaceful resolution of this long outstanding dispute as per international legitimacy,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said in response to a question during the weekly press briefing.

The spokesperson said that Pakistan had never shied away from talks with India and had always underscored the need for a ‘meaningful dialogue’ and peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir. “Therefore, Kashmir remains central to any meaningful engagement between India and Pakistan,” he maintained.

The spokesperson said that unfortunately, India had vitiated the environment through its illegal and unilateral actions of 5th August 2019. “The onus is, therefore, on India to create an enabling and conducive environment for a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue between the two countries,” he added.

To another question, the spokesperson further said Pakistan believed that the international community including the Muslim world must use all tools at its disposal to urge India to rescind its illegal and unilateral actions and to end its human rights violations in occupied Kashmir.

To another question, he said that Pakistan had not entered into any bilateral procurement agreement for COVID-19 vaccine from India. He described as “unfortunate” the false reports by Indian media claiming that Sikh pilgrims were stranded in Pakistan. “Pakistan remains committed to facilitating Sikhs from around the world, including from India, for visiting their religious sites,” he added.

Responding to a question about the report of US National Intelligence Council regarding the possibility of war between Pakistan and India in the next five years, the spokesperson said, “Pakistan is a peace loving country. We continue to promote peace, security and stability in the region for the prosperity of our own country and of the South Asian region on the whole.”

He recalled the speech of Prime Minister Imran Khan in which he had stated that “If India takes one step forward for peace, Pakistan will take two”.

“Our desire for peace was also manifested when we released the captured Indian pilot as a gesture of peace after the Balakot misadventure by India,” he added. The spokesperson stressed that Pakistan remains committed to regional peace and stability and at the same time remains resolutely resolved to defend itself against any misadventure.

To a question about the recent US announcement to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan, he said Pakistan has been consistently supporting and facilitating the efforts for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The spokesperson added that in Pakistan’s view, it was important that the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan coincides with the progress in the peace process.

“We hope that the forthcoming meeting of Afghan leadership in Turkey would be an important opportunity for Afghans to make progress towards a negotiated political settlement. “We support the principle of responsible troop withdrawal in coordination with Afghan stake-holders. We also hope the U.S. will continue to urge the Afghan leaders to seize this historic opportunity for achieving a political settlement in Afghanistan,” he added.