UN must play role to resolve Kashmir dispute: Sharif

Top Stories

UN must play role to resolve Kashmir dispute: Sharif
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

Islamabad - Sharif addresses Kashmir assembly on solidarity day

By Afzal Khan

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Sat 6 Feb 2016, 4:54 PM

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday called for resolving the lingering issue of Kashmir in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, saying the credibility of the global organisation will be at stake if it fails to implement its own resolutions.
Sharif spoke to lawmakers in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, as Pakistanis celebrated 'Kashmir Day.' Pakistan observes the day by holding rallies and arranging seminars on the issue of Kashmir, which is divided between Pakistan and India.
"Only implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions can amicably resolve the Kashmir issue. Until then peace in the region will remain an elusive dream," he said.
He also expressed his hope for early resumption of bilateral talks between Pakistan and India.
He said that the solution of all issues, including that of disputed Kashmir, lies in dialogue.
"Difference of opinion between two countries is not unheard of," Sharif said referring to Pakistan's differences with India over Kashmir during address to a joint session of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in Muzaffarabad. "What is unusual is that for 6-7 decades, we have not been able to get rid of these differences," he said.
"I brought this up with the Indian leadership and would like to reiterate that the solution to our problems lies in dialogue. Unless we sit together and talk about these issues, they won't be resolved," Sharif said.
"Government's priority is to give the people of Kashmir their due rights," the premier said adding: "People of Indian-occupied Kashmir in 2016, are still fighting for freedom, the way they did in 1947."
"Thus Pakistan has taken initiative to extend a hand of friendship towards all South Asian countries and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a proof of that."
The interior ministry declared February 5 as a public holiday, across the country. One minute silence was also observed by the nation to express solidarity and honour all those Kashmiris killed while fighting for freedom. "Right of self determination in this region should be accepted," Sharif said.
He announced grant of Rs250 million for development projects in AJK and offered Rs2 billion half of the cost to help AJK rebuild the assembly building.
"The government's aim is to bring prosperity in the region," the premier said while adding that AJK should be treated like all other South Asian regions and development in this area should be given equal importance. He said the United Nations too has to answer questions why it has failed to implement its own resolutions in support of the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people.
"It is an honour to say that AJK, along with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), will benefit from CPEC projects," he said.
The premier further expressed his desire to build a railway line connecting Islamabad and Muzaffarabad and to construct a highway from Muzaffarabad to Mirpur.
Discussing the current security situation in Pakistan, the prime minister told those in attendance that the government's focus is to maintain law and order across the nation.
Referring to the ongoing strike in national carrier, PIA, Sharif categorically resolved not to bow before "illegal and unjustified" demands of the employees. He accused opposition parties of compromising national interests for political gains by supporting the strike.
Further in Press messages, President Mamnoon Hussain and PM Nawaz vowed to continue Pakistan's unflinching moral, diplomatic and political support to the struggle of the people of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. Other politicians including Asif Zardari, Imran Khan, Sirajul Haq and Syed Khurshid Shah voiced similar sentiments.
Peace in the region would remain elusive until the resolution of the Kashmir dispute," President Mamnoon and PM Nawaz said.

 'Credibility of the global organisation at stake'
> Credibility of the global organisation will be at stake if it fails to implement its own resolutions.
> People of Indian-occupied Kashmir in 2016, are still fighting for freedom, the way they did in 1947
> Pakistan has taken initiative to extend a hand of friendship towards all South Asian countries and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a proof of that.
> The government's focus is to maintain law and order across the nation.
> Government will not bow before "illegal and unjustified" demands of PIA employees.
news@khaleejtimes.com (With inputs from AP)


Passengers arrive at Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad on Friday, during the strike by PIA employees against the privatisation of the national flag carrier. — AFP
Passengers arrive at Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad on Friday, during the strike by PIA employees against the privatisation of the national flag carrier. — AFP

More news from