While strongly condemning the brutality of Indian forces in Indian-held Kashmir, Pakistan said on Thursday that it has not changed its principled stance on Kashmir issue and would continue to raise the issue at every fora.
“Whenever there are talks between India and Pakistan, Kashmir’s issue would remain on agenda,” Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told the weekly news briefing. “Pakistan strongly condemns human rights violations in IHK.”
Zakaria said that incidents such as the anti-Pakistan campaign on the eve of Pakistan cricket team’s visit to India are counter-productive to efforts aimed at reducing tensions.
“Sports and other functions, including arts and cultural events, help in promoting people to people contacts between the two countries,” the spokesman said.
Responding to a question Zakaria said, “Indian high commission and its consulates are independent in granting visas to Pakistan and if there are refusals then the FO would take it up with Indian government.”
The spokesman said Pakistan has joined the 34-state Islamic military coalition to fight terrorism and extremism which poses danger to the Muslim world’s peace.
