ISLAMABAD - Pakistan yesterday urged the United Kingdom and other Permanent-five members to help solve the Kashmir issue with India as human rights were grossly being violated in the held territory.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi held a meeting with the British National Security Adviser Sir Mark Lyall Grant here to discuss the regional and international issues, the foreign ministry said.
Officials said Grant asked Pakistan to ‘do more’ in its fight against terrorism. “Grant said his country backed Pakistan’s stance over the Kashmir issue and asked Pakistan to prove its sincerity with the anti-terror war,” said an official.
He said Fatemi convinced the visiting British NSA that India was not ready to hold talks despite several offers by Pakistan.
The special assistant also said UK had a special obligation to intervene on the Kashmir issue as it ruled the sub-continent before the 1947 partition.
The special assistant briefed Grant about the current situation in Indian-held Kashmir. “He also stressed that as a country with historic links to this region, and as a member-state of UN Security Council’s P-5, it was incumbent on Britain to urge India to end its human rights violations in the occupied territory and to enter into a sustained dialogue process with Pakistan, so as to enable the two countries to peacefully resolve their differences,” said the foreign ministry statement.
Grant acknowledged the important role being played by Pakistan in promoting peace and stability in the region, it added.
Fatemi also briefed the visiting dignitary about Pakistan’s serious efforts to promote lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, including the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led reconciliation process through the Quadrilateral Coordination Group, it said.
The special assistant underscored the importance Pakistan attaches to its relations with the United Kingdom and noted that partnership between the two countries was moving in the right direction.
In this context, he recalled the recent warm and cordial meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Theresa May, in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Fatemi highlighted the improved security situation and its positive impact on economic revival in Pakistan.
Lyall Grant acknowledged the significant achievements made by Pakistan and the sacrifices rendered by the people of Pakistan in their fight against terrorism. He reaffirmed the UK’s continued support to Pakistan, said the ministry.
Defence analyst Lt General (r) Amjad Shoaib said Pakistan had raised the Kashmir issue well among the global community.
He said UK and the P-5 members needed to come forward to stop the human rights violations in Kashmir and bring India to the talks table.
by: shafqat ali (the nation)
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