ISLAMABAD: Former Ambassador B.A. Malik on Sunday said that improved relations with India would help resolve longstanding issue of Kashmir between the two neighbouring nuclear states.
Stressing the need of adopting a realistic approach for finding a durable and Acceptable to All" solution of the decades old dispute between Pakistan and India, he said "First, we should try to have good relations with neighbouring India, then ultimately there will be a solution of the core issue of Kashmir."
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) always worked to highlight the Kashmir issue at different national and international fora.
"It opt negotiations to settle disputes," he said while talking to APP in connection with the Kashmir Solidarity Day falling on February 5.
He disagreed with the dominating views that there would be no peace in the South Asian region without settling the Kashmir issue, saying "In my opinion, if there is peace, prosperity and economic stability in the area, there will be a guaranteed solution of the core issue."
The ambassador, who is a foreign policy analyst and has served on various diplomatic assignments in Philippines, Tunisia, Hungry and the Maldives, was of the view that although India and Pakistan became nuclear states after spending huge resources, but they could not bring prosperity to their common citizens.
Commenting on the resolutions of United Nations Security Council on Kashmir passed in favour of Kashmiris giving them their legitimate right to self-determination, Malik said Pakistan should also put a 'Moral pressure' on India by engaging it in trade, people-to-people contacts, confidence building measures and bus service at different routes to get the 'Core issue" resolved.
He said an effective strategy should be evolved to bring India at the negotiation table in a conductive atmosphere and it will pave the way towards finding a durable solution of Kashmir issue.
He said Pakistan would continue to extend its diplomatic and moral support to people of Kashmir in attaining their judicious right to self-determination for which they are struggling and rendering sacrifices for several decades.
The ambassador urged the international community to play role in early resolution of the issue, adding, the dream of people of Kashmir would come true as the dispute has to be resolved, sooner or later, in accordance with their wishes.
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