Pak refutes Khurshid's statement on Kashmir being integral part of India

Pakistan has refuted Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid's statement of Kashmir being an integral part of that nation, saying that the dispute over the territory is a core issue between the two South Asian neighbours.

A foreign office spokesman said India should not overlook those several resolutions that have been passed by the United Nations Security Council on the issue, Dawn News reports.

The statement came in response to Khurshid's Sunday interview to NDTV in which he said India will not accept any intervention on an issue that is entirely accepted in the Simla Agreement as a bilateral issue between the two nations.

Pakistan's spokesman further added that the Kashmir dispute has been a fundamental component of the bilateral dialogue process between the rival countries and resolution of the issue was vital for maintaining peace and security in the region.

He said that Pakistan is committed towards a purposeful, constructive and result-oriented dialogue with India on the issue.