Stating that Islamabad’s relations with China is time-tested, Advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz said his country would like to maintain cordial relations with the USA and is working on to build convergences and addressing divergences. This includes connecting the Kashmiri youth with the economic development in the valley by creating opportunities.
Advertisement
While addressing an all-party meeting convened to discuss the prevailing situation in Kashmir, the Prime Minister said the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) is an integral part of India.
Also while linking rise in infiltration figures with current unrest, officials here say in 2015, there were 117 attempts by Pakistani terrorists to cross the Line of Control (LoC) into Kashmir Valley of which 33 were successful.
Reiterating India’s stand that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) is a part of Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said, ” since J&K has four regions – Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and POK, talks should be held with all stake holders”.
Pakistan on Thursday said it had written to the Arab League highlighting the “horrific” Indian brutalities in Kashmir and asked its member countries to intervene. Asserting that the Centre was taking a serious view of law and order situation, Singh said there was a drive to recruit policemen in the state.
Singh said that maintaining law and order is a priority and national security can not be compromised upon. The valley has been in a lockdown amid continuous curfew and separatist-called shutdown for the past five weeks amid daily pro-freedom rallies despite strict restrictions.
“The Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS) is known to be indirectly supporting such groups and there is also collaboration between NDS and Indian intelligence agency RAW”, Aziz pointed out.
To deal with the recent unrest in wake of brutal killing of Kashmiri independence commander Burhan Wani, suggestions were made by parties at the meeting. About Kashmir protests, they said that recently Abu Dujana, the most wanted LeT terrorist, was also reported to have participated in the gathering, wearing a mask and surrounded by many people.
A resolution by the Lok Sabha on Friday urged steps to restore peace.
Modi said Jammu and Kashmir is referred to as the crown of India.
Like every Indian, he also felt “deep pain” over the events in the state, he said, adding it was painful that students were unable to study, apples produced in large quantity in the valley were not reaching markets and government offices were unable to carry out public welfare works.
All the parties barring the Shiv Sena favoured a ban on the use of pellet guns, which have injured a large number of civilians including children.
Advertisement
Invoking former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee again, Modi said his Government would follow the path shown by him – to hold dialogue under the framework of “insaniyat (humanity), jamhuriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat”.
