As tensions between Pakistan and India remain high, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday vowed to play his role as a peacemaker by observing “restraint and responsibility”, saying that he expected the Indian side would reciprocate his efforts and take measures to reduce tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir.
“The escalation of tensions along LoC is a matter of concern for us and the (UN) secretary general. Pakistan will continue to respond to the situation with restraint and responsibility. We hope that steps would be taken by India to help reduce tensions. We have to defuse tension and deescalate the situation. What we need is more diplomacy,” Nawaz Sharif said during a joint press conference at the Prime Minister’s House along with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon after an official meeting between the two leaders.
Despite Independence Day celebrations being observed in Pakistan, tensions remained high as defence officials said that “unprovoked Indian shelling” across the LoC had killed a 60-year-old man and injured his teenage daughter.
Sharif said he had “a very good, productive meeting” with Ban and described him a “friend of Pakistan”. He said Pakistan was trying to work for peace and stability in the region and said that it will be his endeavour to “explore all avenues to ease tensions” with India and restart the dialogue process. He also said that resolution of the outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir and promoting trade and commerce, were priorities of his government.
Sharif urged Ban to take practical measures for resolution of the dispute, saying that Kashmir was the longest outstanding issue on the UN agenda. He added that Pakistan wanted a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions. “We hope that the UN will play its due role in resolving the Kashmir dispute,” he added.
UN TO SUPPORT PAKISTAN
The UN secretary general said that the UN would support Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, adding that Pakistan had paid an enormous price and thousands have sacrificed their lives to make their country safe.
Referring to the army’s contribution to the UN peace missions, Ban said Pakistan had always supported the United Nations’ efforts to maintain international peace and security and since 1960, it has been contributing troops to UN peacekeeping missions. He said he was looking forward to meet Prime Minister Sharif when he arrives in New York to attend the UN General Assembly meeting in September.
Ban said Pakistan was a vibrant, dynamic country full of promises and opportunities. He said the country has the 6th largest population in the world, with around half under the age of 18. He referred to his meeting with the young students of Islamabad College for Girls a day earlier and said he was inspired and touched to hear the aspirations of the country’s youth.
He hoped the country would speed up its efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals and work on poverty reduction.