PM Imran to give policy statement on Kashmir tomorrow: FO

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal has said that Prime Minister Imran Khan will give a policy statement on Kashmir tomorrow (Friday) during a public gathering in Muzaffarabad.

At his weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Dr. Faisal said that Pakistan was considering several measures in support of Kashmiri brethren, Radio Pakistan reported.

The spokesperson reminded that it was a considered view and policy of Pakistan that all matters can only be resolved through negotiations.

He said there were repeated offers of mediation from different countries on Kashmir dispute but India was not agreeing to it.

Dr. Faisal said India should stop misleading the international community and respect the right of self determination of Kashmiri people. He further said that no backdoor talks were taking place between Pakistan and India.

Regarding the joint statement signed by different countries at UN Human Rights Council meeting, the spokesperson said this represents the growing international disapproval of Indian illegal and unilateral actions in occupied Kashmir.

He said there is global demand now for lifting of lockdown and all sorts of restrictions in the valley.

When asked about the recent visits of the foreign ministers of UAE and Saudi Arabia, the spokesperson said the ministers during their interaction with Pakistani leadership reiterated their countries’ solidarity with Pakistan and support for Kashmir cause.

Responding to a question, Dr Muhammad Faisal clarified that Pakistan was not charging any amount from Sikh pilgrims for entrance into Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur.

He said the twenty dollar fee was only for facilities being constructed in Kartarpur and it only meets ten to fifteen percent of the total construction cost.

When asked about the suspension of peace talks between the US and the Taliban, the spokesperson urged all the parties to return to the table of negotiations to take the progress achieved so far in the talks to its logical conclusion. He said, “Pakistan wants all the sides to exercise restraint and refrain from violence.” He said we have encouraged and facilitated the Afghan peace process in good faith and as a shared responsibility.

Dr Faisal said Pakistan has always maintained that Afghan solution lies only in a politically negotiated settlement led and owned by the Afghans themselves.

He said a military focused approach has failed to render the desired results.

The spokesperson said Pakistan is hopeful about the resumption of peace talks between the US and the Taliban and that the process will lead to intra Afghan negotiations which are imperative for durable and sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

Responding to a question about Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s plans to annex large parts of occupied West Bank, the spokesperson said Pakistan rejects any such move.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Palestinian people. Dr Faisal said Pakistan reiterates its support for a viable, independent and contiguous state of Palestine with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. He also made it clear that Pakistan is not taking any step to recognize Israel.