Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dr Maleeha Lodhi on Saturday said that India is non-serious in finding a solution to the Kashmir dispute.
“It is obligatory upon the UN to persuade the Indian government for the peaceful settlement of the long-standing Kashmir dispute,” she said.
The envoy said that India’s arrogance is deteriorating the situation in the region that can be a threat to regional and international peace and security.
She said Pakistan is highlighting Kashmir issue at all forums to seek international attention and the letter of the UN Secretary General to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the issue is an evidence of the government’s efforts.
In response to PM Nawaz‘s letter on Friday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon deplored the ongoing killings in Indian-held Kashmir as security forces there try to stamp out weeks of anti-government protests by Kashmiri civilians and urged India and Pakistan to settle Kashmir and other issues through dialogue.
“I stand ready to offer my good offices, should it be requested by both sides, to facilitate dialogue in order to achieve a negotiated settlement,” he wrote in a letter he sent in response to a letter from Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif apprising the UN chief about the deteriorating situation in Kashmir and the large-scale violations of human rights being committed by Indian security forces.
At least 70 Kashmiri civilians have been killed and thousands more injured in Indian-held Kashmir in clashes with security forces after the killing of the freedom fighter, Burhan Wani, in a military operation on July 8.
“The United Nations remains convinced that it is only through dialogue that the outstanding issues between Pakistan and India, including on Kashmir, can be addressed.”
Pakistan has been actively pursuing the Kashmir issue at various forums at the United Nations, with Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi focusing on it in her statement at the General Assembly in a debate on human rights.
She also raised the issue during meetings with the UN leadership as well as with the President of the Security Council last month.