Kashmiris facing denial of their right to self-determination, says PM Shehbaz Sharif
ASTANA (APP) - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Kashmiris are facing denial of their right to self-determination.
Addressing at the 6th summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, Shehbaz Sharif strongly favoured peaceful dialogue in resolving conflicts with other countries, including the neighbouring India, in a bid to achieve the goals of prosperity of the nations and the region. He highlighted India’s unabated atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir for last seven decades and said that the Kashmiris faced continued denial of their right to self-determination. “I urge other countries to take notice of India’s ‘bullet over ballot’ policy as it blatantly quashed the United Nations Security Council’s resolution on holding a plebiscite in Kashmir. India has become a threat to its minorities, neighbours and the entire region.
“We are willing to engage with India for the sake of prosperity and development as both sides of the border cannot afford to deal with massive challenges of poverty and unemployment amid meager resources,” he added.
The prime minister’s speech focused on peace among nations to hit the goal of prosperity. “I want to leave behind a legacy of peace and progress for the prosperity of the coming generations of our region. Pakistan’s first priority at the moment is to revive rapid and equitable economy. Prosperous and stable Afghanistan is not only in the interest of Pakistan, but also for the international community.
“If we team our resources, Asia can stand with pride and achievement. Through constructive dialogue, we can build mutual trust. Pakistan’s location is offering a natural bridge among various economies of the region. The multi-billion dollar project of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had transformed the economic and connectivity landscape of the region. I invite the CICA member states to consider benefiting from the trade, investment and business opportunities offered by Pakistan.
On recent floods in Pakistan, the prime minister pointed out that the country was bearing the brunt of climate change despite its less than one percent carbon omissions. “I thank the countries that stepped forward in extending assistance to Pakistan to carry out the relief and rehabilitation activities in the flood-affected areas. Pakistan is determined and committed to emerge stronger after the flood disaster. Pakistan, with the support of its people and the friendly countries, will come out of this problem,” he said.
Besides this, he also elaborated the significance of CICA as a unique forum for promoting interaction, understanding, and collaboration among the countries across Asia.
