UN chief's office diplomatically fends off 'bulldozing' Pak journo's Kashmir question

Responding to repeated attempts by Pakistani journalists to bulldoze press briefings at the United Nations headquarters in New York, and to twist statements related to both India and Pakistan to suit Islamabad's agenda, the office United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said there is a standing offer that the "Secretary General's good office" may be used provided both parties make a request for it.

On Wednesday, an unnamed Pakistani journalist asked what does the Secretary General's office have to say about the latest situation in Kashmir, and also whether Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was right in going on record to blame the media for misreporting and creating the crisis that claimed the lives of 37 people.

Responding to the question from the Pakistani journalist, Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General said, "Look, I think the Secretary-General, as we said earlier this week, is obviously. is following the situation in Kashmir very closely. I think he regretted the loss of life and calls on all the parties to exercise restraint. And I think the Secretary-General has always welcomed any direct discussions on the situation between India and Pakistan. And the Secretary-General's good offices on any issues is a standing offer for anything that is going on, but good offices work when two parties both ask for the good offices.