Resolution of Kashmir dispute pivotal for ensuring peace in region: Pak

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, while briefing the Ambassadors of the P-5 countries and the EU, on Thursday said the resolution of the dispute on Kashmir between India and the Islamic Republic was pivotal for ensuring peace, security and stability in the region.

Stressing that the "resolution of this long-standing dispute must be ensured in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions", Chaudhry mentioned that the elections Kashmir "could not be a substitute of the UN monitored plebiscite".

"Chaudhry expressed concern over the Indian attempts to alter the ground situation through demographic changes," said a statement by the Pakistan Foreign Affairs Ministry.

"Chaudhary underscored the crucial role of the international community in helping to bring about a sustainable and lasting solution to this issue. He drew attention to the continuous human rights violations by the Indian forces in Kashmir and the plight of the Kashmiris, of which human rights organisations and the international community are well aware," it added.

The Pakistani Foreign Secretary further stated that Islamabad was committed to a meaningful and constructive dialogue with New Delhi to resolve all outstanding issues, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

Expressing optimism on the deepening of cooperative ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Foreign Secretary briefed the Ambassadors on the recent positive developments in the bilateral relations with Afghanistan.

Chaudhry also briefed the Ambassadors on the recent interaction with the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, who visited Pakistan for the second Ministerial Review of Strategic Dialogue.

"He noted that the dialogue had contributed to deepening of Pakistan-US cooperation in a broad range of areas on which five working groups have been interacting for the past one year," said the statement.