Pakistan reaches out to UN for easing relations with India

Pakistan alleged that India, by stepping up violence along the LoC, was covering for human rights violations in Kashmir

Blaming India for closing the doors on any bilateral engagement with it, Pakistan told top UN officials that the world body has a "moral responsibility" to play its role in the resolution of the Kashmir issue and help in de-escalating tensions between the two countries.

Special assistant to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, during his day-long visit to the city, met UN Secretary General-designate Antonio Guterres, Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson and Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffery Feltman.

According to a press release issued by the Pakistan's mission to the United Nations on Tuesday, Fatemi told top UN leaders that Indian forces had stepped up ceasefire violations along the line of control (LoC) and the working boundary in order to divert international attention from the alleged human rights atrocities, particularly the targeting of civilians in Kashmir.

"India had also closed the doors on any bilateral engagement. In this situation, the UN had a moral responsibility to call for ending human rights violations" in Kashmir, "play its role in the resolution of this long festering dispute and help in immediately de-escalating tensions", he said, according to the release.

Fatemi, accompanied by Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi, said, Islamabad expected the UN to play its role in ensuring peace and stability in the South Asian region, especially in the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

He said while Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had reached out to India and made efforts to develop a mutually beneficial relationship, the efforts were not being reciprocated by New Delhi.

Fatemi also briefed the UN officials about alleged human rights violations by Indian forces on the Kashmiri people, saying efforts to quash a popular and indigenous uprising in Kashmir had led to the killing of over a hundred people and injuries to thousands.

The release said that the UN leadership called for the resumption of dialogue and de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan adding that Eliasson expressed concern at the regional situation and called for the lowering of tensions.

On Afghanistan, Fatemi said Pakistan was ready to play its part for peace and stability in the country.