Pakistan committed to cause of Kashmir, says national security adviser

ISLAMABAD: National Security Adviser (NSA) Lt General (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua  on Tuesday said Pakistan was deeply committed to the cause of Kashmir and supported to resolve the Kashmir conflict politically and according to the aspirations of Kashmiri people.

“Process of dialogue is the only way forward to resolve our disputes. It is by way of peaceful resolution of our disputes which can enable both the countries to belong to the future,” this he said while Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria made a courtesy call to Nasser Janjua and discussed the recent worsening situation in Indian-held Kashmir.

They also discussed matters pertaining to improving the bilateral relations.

Expressing serious concerns over the ongoing human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir, the NSA said Pakistan was committed to resolve all the outstanding issues with India through comprehensive dialogues.

He welcomed the envoy and said that Pakistan was pursuing the policy of friendly relations with all its neighbouring countries including normalcy of relationship with India.

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“The use of force alone could lead us to a blind alley.” It rather diminished hope, injured the society and further worsened the fragile situation, he said.

The Indian envoy acknowledged that Pakistan and India definitely needed to improve their bilateral relations and said “both the countries have immense potential to improve the relationship, and cater to each others’ needs”.

He also suggested to work on taking small steps for improving the bilateral relations including exchange of prisoners, visits of medical teams and trade initiatives.

“We can build on these small steps between us and take the relationship towards normalcy to address the bigger issues,” he said.

Both sides agreed to explore the possibilities of more cooperation and of improving bilateral relations to ultimately take it towards comprehensive process of dialogue.

It should be noted that Indian authorities on Monday shut schools and blocked internet services in occupied Kashmir, after deadly protests and gun battles left 20 dead and 200 injured.

Thousands took to the streets on April 01 to protest against Indian atrocities but Indian troops resorted to firing bullets and pellets on crowds who threw stones and chanted slogans against the Indian rule.

Doctors said the extent of pellet gun injuries was the worst they had ever seen since hundreds were wounded in unrest that followed the shooting death of charismatic Kashmiri separatist Burhan Wani in July 2016.