Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad on Thursday asked Kabul not to allow India to use its soil against Pakistan.

Responding to a question at the weekly news briefing in Islamabad about Indian arms supply to Afghanistan, Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said such cooperation should not be to the detriment of Pakistan.

He said the international community should play its role in the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute and ending Indian brutalities against people in Occupied Kashmir.

“Over 80 Kashmiris have been martyred, seven thousand injured and 500 deprived of their eye-sight due to pellet gun fire by Indian forces,” Zakaria said.

He said Pakistan has been sensitising the international community about plight of people in Occupied Kashmir and would also continue its moral, diplomatic and political support for peaceful struggle for right to self-determination.

The spokesman said in view of delicate situation in Occupied Kashmir, Pakistan has already extended an invitation to India for dialogue as Kashmir remains the top issue on negotiating table.

“Pakistan wants to resolve the issue in a peaceful manner and through result-oriented and sustained dialogue, which is not fragile enough to break down after some incident,” Zakaria said.

The spokesman said that Pakistan and India discussed Kashmir issue bilaterally several times during the last six decades but the dialogue did not meet success due to Indian intransigence.

He said Simla agreement does not prevent taking the issue to the UN as under the accord the two countries upheld supremacy of the UN charter in the conduct of their relations.

“The Indian Prime Minister referred to Balochistan in his bid to divert attention from gruesome situation in Occupied Kashmir. However, the world is not naive and understands Indian machinations,” FO said.

Replying a question, the spokesman said that Pakistan has been emphasising that politically negotiated settlement is only viable solution of Afghan problem and Afghanistan’s government should give an unambiguous message in favour of reconciliation and offer incentives for the purpose.