- PM says he wanted to hand over dossier to Indian PM Modi directly but that meeting could not take place
- Says Pakistan has put forward concrete proposals for improving ties with India
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday he would soon send a copy of the dossier containing proofs of New Delhi’s interference to destabilise Pakistan to United Nations Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon.
Responding to a question at a press conference after his address to the UN General Assembly, the prime minister said that he had spoken out against Indian involvement in destabilising Pakistan in the world moot and had planned on handing over the dossier to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi directly but that meeting did not take place. As such, he said, a copy of the dossier would be forwarded to the UN chief.
In his speech to the UNGA, Sharif had said, “Wisdom dictates that our immediate neighbour refrains from fomenting instability in Pakistan. The two countries should address and resolve the causes of tension and take all possible measures to avert further escalation.”
When asked about his initiative for forging better ties with India, the prime minister said Pakistan had put forward concrete proposals for improving ties with India with the hope that it would elicit a positive response.
Addressing the question of whether there was any chance of a meeting with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi in near future, he said the two countries had made a good beginning when former Indian prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee visited Pakistan. During his visit, he said, an agreement was signed, but then certain developments took place and no progress was made. He said his four-point proposal in his UN address were in the same tone as he desired improved ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Nawaz Sharif said India might find it difficult, but it was in the interest of both sides that they withdraw troops from Siachin – the world’s highest battle ground.
Responding to another question about the use of the Afghan territory for launching attacks against Pakistan, the prime minister said he hoped that the Afghan government would play its role and would not allow any terrorist use of its soil for attacks against Pakistan.
Wrapping up his visit to the UNGA, the PM said the session this year coincided with the 70th anniversary and was important. He said the event helped him interact with other world leaders and convey his country’s stance on issues of global importance.
He mentioned the Summit on 2015 Development Agenda and said it helped the country chart its future development goals.
The prime minister enumerated his five important engagements at the UNGA, besides the series of bilateral meetings with leaders of South Korea, Sweden, Senegal, World Bank, Turkey as well as meetings with Bill Gates and US Secretary of State John Kerry.
He described his visit as hectic, but said it helped him convey the country’s message at the highest level during his meetings.
Sharif said he also had a very important meeting with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon where he told him (the secretary general) that it was the moral obligation of the United Nations to implement its resolutions on Kashmir. The UNSC must assert itself and get the resolutions implemented in letter and spirit, particularly on the lingering Kashmir dispute, he said.
Answering another question, Nawaz Sharif said the government was planning to honour Malala Yousafzai, when she visited Pakistan. A plan in this regard would soon be announced, he said.
When asked about his visit to the US next month and focus of talks, he said the visit had a long agenda and both sides were working on it.
The PM was particularly appreciative of the hard work put in by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations Dr Maleeha Lodhi, the Foreign Office and related officials for making the visit a success.