ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani said on Monday that Pakistan desires peace in the region for stability but he regretted that India continues to sponsor terrorism in Pakistan. Rabbani called on Maldives’ President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom at the Presidential palace in Male where he reiterated that Pakistan is a peace loving country. The Senate chairman was accompanied by Senator Sardar Zulfiqar Khan Khosa, Senator Najmul Hassan and the Pakistani ambassador to Maldives. He informed President Gayoom that recently a serving Indian Naval Commander – Kulbhushan Yadav – was arrested in Pakistan who was tasked to raise unrest in Pakistan. Apart from this, other Indian measures were also told in detail that clearly displayed Delhi’s expansion designs in the region. He said that Pakistan – despite these provocative actions – looks for a lasting peace in the region for which the Kashmir dispute needs to be resolved in-line with the UN resolutions. Rabbani highlighted India’s rights violation of innocent Kashmiris in Occupied Kashmir and further brought the loss of eyesight by use of pellet guns to the notice of the Maldives’ president. He stated that over 90 days have passed and the valley continues to be under a curfew – with innocent men, women and children lost their lives over their demand of the UN resolutions’ – granting them the right of self-determination – implementation. The Senate chairman said that Pakistan noted Maldives decision of leaving the commonwealth and respected it as it was a sovereign country’s decision but that it is an important organisation and constructive engagements should continue. He stressed upon improving the bilateral relations and called for a reassessment of the role of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in particular – keeping India’s attitude in mind.