FO urges India to realize ground realities in occupied Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal has said that President Trump's letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan seeking assistance on Afghan issue vindicates Pakistan's considered position that Afghan issue can only be solved through negotiations.

Addressing weekly briefing here on Thursday, he said Pakistan has always advocated political settlement to end the war in Afghanistan. Welcoming the US decision, Dr. Muhammad Faisal reiterated Pakistan' commitment to play a facilitative role in bringing peace in the neighboring country.

He said peace and stability in Afghanistan remains a shared responsibility. He said US Special Representative for Peace and Reconciliation in Afghanistan held meetings with Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Foreign Secretary. The Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan's steadfast support for a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan.

He termed the letter of US President Donald Trump to President Imran Khan a good omen for melting the ice in relations between Pakistan and the US. He said it is the beginning of talks and more meaningful interaction will follow over time.

On Kashmir, he said it is the core issue between Pakistan and India and opening of Kartarpur Corridor will have no impact on it. He said the Kashmir issue would be resolved according to UN resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people.

He said occupation forces in their cordon and search operations killed twenty four Kashmiri men and women in Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama and Badgam districts of Indian Occupied Kashmir.

He said India should stop misleading the international community and accept ground realities and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir instead of continuing with its policy of brutal obduracy in the territory.

To a question, he said the Kartarpur Corridor will be completed before the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev next year. He said the decision of opening of Kartarpur Corridor was made in good faith and to facilitate the Sikh community to visit their one of the holiest places.