War not an option, says Pakistan's envoy to US

An agreement to reduce the exisitng tension was reached after security advisers from both countries spoke last week

A Pakistani envoy visiting the Unites States of America to discuss their views on the Kashmir issue said on Ocotber 10 that war was not an option for the two neigbouring countries.

"Going to war is not an option at all. Both countries need economic development and to focus on the welfare of their people," told the Pakistani amba­ssador, Jalil Abbas Jilani, to the Dawn.

Both legislators, Mushahid Hussain Syed and Shezra Mansab Ali Kharal, disregarded the view that the two governements- New Delhi and Islamabad-were moving towards another war.

"There will be no war," Hussain said. "Both sides are fully aware of the consequences of a war between two nuclear-armed nations."

Kharal added: "Talks are important, not just for Pakistan and India, but also for the people of Kashmir. They too deserve to live in peace and with dignity."

The Dawn quoted the lawmakers as saying that both countries had agreed to reduce tensions after talks took place, over the phone last week, between the national security advisers spoke of repsective governments in India and Pakistan.

The ambassador urged the US and other major world powers to encourage India to engage with Pakistan for a peaceful resolution of all disputes, including the core issue of Kashmir.

Earlier, at a meeting with Pakistani journalists, Hussain and Kharal said the Americans had maintained "very high-level" contacts with the Indian and Pakistani governments.

"We are convinced that the (Narendra) Modi government will finally resume bilateral talks with Pakistan," said Hussain.

India-Pakistan ties has remained tense after terrorists from Pakistan killed 19 Indian soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir last month. The situation grew worse after the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on several terrorist positions in Pakistan's territory.

Kharal warned India not "to stir troubles in Balochistan as India too has faultlines".

She said India had more than 17 separatist movements and if Pakistan wanted, it could have exploited those situations.

"But we did not because we regard those as India's internal affairs. India should also stop interfering in our internal affairs."