Pak PM discusses Kashmir issue with German Chancellor Merkel

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday held a telephonic conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the Kashmir issue.

During the talks, the prime minister "emphasised that India scrapping the special status to Jammu and Kashmir has serious implications for peace and security in the region and the international community has the responsibility to act urgently", the Foreign Office said.

Merkel said Germany was closely observing the situation and underlined the importance of de-escalation of tensions and resolution of the issue peacefully, it stated.

India has categorically told the international community that removing the special status to Jammu and Kashmir was an internal matter and has also advised Pakistan to accept the reality.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also "briefed" his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid on the Kashmir issue, the Foreign Office said.

Qureshi urged Maldives to play a constructive role for peace and stability in the region and peaceful settlement of disputes, it said.

The Maldivian foreign minister said they were closely watching the situation.

The two leaders agreed to continue to work together for peace and stability in the region, the Foreign Office said.