World community should help settle Kashmir issue: Sartaj Aziz

Pakistan today said the world community should play its role for resolving the Kashmir dispute as India's insistence on settling the issue through bilateral talks has not produced results.

India has always insisted on solving this issue through bilateral talks, but so far these efforts have failed to produce any result, Pakistan's Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz claimed.

The international community should fulfil its responsibility for resolving this outstanding issue for peace and stability in the region, Aziz said while making a statement on foreign policy in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament.

Pakistan has tried to diffuse tension along the Line of Control but India has not reciprocated, Aziz was quoted as saying by state-run Radio Pakistan. He regretted the tensions.

Bilateral relations soured after five Indian soldiers were killed in an attack by Pakistani troops along the LoC earlier this month. Both sides have accused each other of violating the 2003 ceasefire on the LoC.

Aziz said Pakistan proposed a joint investigation of ceasefire violations on the LoC or a probe by an independent commission but India turned down the proposals.

Giving figures, Aziz said 11 Pakistanis, including eight army personnel, were killed and 31 injured in ceasefire violations on the LoC since January.

He also referred to Defence Minister A K Antony's statement in parliament after the August 6 killing of five Indian soldiers. Aziz said Antony first said that the killings were carried out by militants but changed his statement later.

Pakistan, he said, has called on India to observe the LoC ceasefire to reduce tension.