Says peace in South Asia hinges upon Kashmir dispute resolution
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan is desirous of promoting a broad-based strategic partnership with the United States. The foreign minister said this while talking to the leadership of Asian committee of the United States House of Representatives via video link in New York.
He spoke about the impact of the strategic partnership between the two states as well. “This partnership will promote the common interests of both countries in bilateral and regional aspects,” said Qureshi.
He emphasised the importance of promoting regional connectivity between Pakistan and the US, adding that economic cooperation and bilateral trade were key to achieving that.
The foreign minister highlighted Pakistan’s efforts for a peaceful, political settlement in Afghanistan.
Earlier, a statement issued by Foreign Office quoted FM Qureshi saying that Pakistan wants to forge closer economic and trade ties with the US. Qureshi had expressed these views while meeting senior Republican Senator Lindsey Graham on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) session.
Qureshi and Senator Graham discussed bilateral relations and the regional situation, the statement added.
Qureshi appreciated Senator Graham’s efforts to strengthen the Pakistan-US partnership, said the FO. In this regard, the foreign minister and the senator also agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector, especially to enhance agricultural productivity in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that the Kashmir dispute is an important pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
“The Kashmir dispute should be resolved in line with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council,” Qureshi said to Kashmiri leaders while discussing the gross human rights violations in the Indian Kashmir. Permanent Representative to UN Munir Akram was also in attendance on the occasion.
“Peace cannot be restored in the South Asian region without resolving the Kashmir dispute,” he said. Qureshi said Pakistan has serious reservations over human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir. He reiterated his country’s resolve to continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to the unarmed Kashmiris.
The FM said that India intends to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory. Expressing the government’s unwavering commitment to the Kashmir cause, Qureshi said Prime Minister Imran Khan was not a mercenary to sell off Kashmir. “We are not businesspeople and we will never accept any bargain for Kashmir,” he said.
Qureshi likened the situation in Kashmir to that of the currently simmering crisis of Palestine. “There is a similarity between the situations of Palestine and Kashmir,” he said while addressing a ceremony of overseas Pakistanis.
“Like Palestine, the people of Kashmir are demanding the right to self-determination.” He told the gathering of overseas Pakistanis that he highlighted the resemblance between the circumstances in Kashmir and Palestine during his meeting with the UN secretary-general.
The Palestinians want to live peacefully, he said, adding that similarly, Pakistanis also want to lead a peaceful coexistence with their neighbours. “But, we have issues which can be talked over and settled,” he pointed out. “So, let’s sit down together and seek solutions to the problems. With our issues amicably tackled, we can live together like good neighbours.”
Referring to the accusation by a CNN host during his interview earlier in the week, the foreign minister stressed it was not anti-Semitism to talk about Israel’s policy and aggression.
Related Posts
