Kashmir is top of the list: Pakistan

Spelling out its stance in clear terms, Pakistan on Monday stated that the Kashmir dispute continues to “top the list” of outstanding issues that it has with India, even as it asserted that the people of Kashmir have “suffered for three generations now”.

“Kashmir, of course, tops the list of outstanding issues, but there are also other important issues like Siachen, Sir Creek, Interference and Water. Kashmiris have suffered for three generations now. Their right to self-determine their destiny has not been granted. Pakistan has stood by the Kashmiris in their legitimate struggle. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif affirmed our principled position in clear and unequivocal terms during his annual speech at the UN General Assembly. We would continue to extend political, moral, and diplomatic support to our Kashmiri brethren,” said Sartaj Aziz, adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs.

He said Pakistan is ready to discuss all the outstanding issues and expected India to cooperate in an effort to bring in “peace and prosperity” in the subcontinent.

Highlighting the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan PM Sharif last week, Aziz said it provided a window of dialogue between both countries to “reduce tensions and hostility”.

On the recent incidents of ceasefire violations, Aziz stated peace and tranquility across the Line of Control (LoC) and a working boundary is in the interest of both sides. He underlined that the regular meetings between DG (direct generals) Rangers, DG Border Security Force, DG Military Operations should be held in order to comply with the 2003 ceasefire agreement.

“Peace and tranquility on the LoC and working boundary is in the interest of both countries. Even though at present ceasefire is by and large being maintained, there have been occasions when this ceasefire was violated causing casualties and injuries to people inhabiting those areas,” he said while addressing a press conference there in Ufa, Russia on Monday.

Snubbing India’s demand to arrest 26/11 mastermind Zakhi-ur Rahman Lakhvi, Aziz said Pakistan needed more evidence and information to conclude the trial.

Accusing India once again for allegedly supporting insurgency in Balochistan, Aziz stated that Pakistani authorities have become “deeply concerned” of India’s stance. He hoped that the meeting of the National Security Advisers (NSAs) will help in addressing these “acrimonious concerns”.

Modi and Sharif had decided last week that the first meeting of the NSAs will happen New Delhi and then in Islamabad. On the issue of pushing bilateral trade and granting India the ‘Most-Favoured Nation’ or ‘Non-Discriminatory Market Access’ trade status, Aziz said all issues will now be followed up through different channels.