Shahbaz Sharif expressed his desire for peace in the UN, but did not forget to mention the issue of Kashmir, also mentioned Article 370
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said his country aspires for peace with all its neighbours, including India, but lasting peace and stability in South Asia depends on a just and lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute. Addressing the 77th meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, Shahbaz claimed that India’s illegal and unilateral action to remove Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019, has reduced chances of peace and increased regional tensions.
He said that, I think the time has come for India to clearly understand the message that both the countries are equipped with lethal weapons. War is not an option. This is not an option. Only peaceful dialogue can resolve these issues so that the world can become more peaceful in the times to come. India has repeatedly told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and always will be an integral part of the country. India has said that it wants normal neighbor-like relations with Pakistan that are free from terror, enmity and violence.
It is known that after the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, relations between India and Pakistan had deteriorated. Pakistan had reacted sharply to India’s decision and expelled the Indian High Commissioner, reducing the level of diplomatic relations. Shahbaz further said that India has increased its military deployment in Jammu and Kashmir, making the region the most militarized region in the world. He said that the Pakistani people have always shown complete solidarity with Kashmiris and will continue to do so. He said that he would come forward to talk to his Indian counterpart to pave the way for the future so that our generations do not have to suffer. We can spend our resources on mitigating the problems, building structures to face these disasters like floods and cloudbursts.
Shahbaz said that both India and Pakistan should not waste their resources in trying to buy more and more weapons and increase tension. It is now upon us to resolve our differences, problems or issues as peaceful neighbors through peaceful dialogue and deliberations, he said. Also save your scarce resources to promote education, health and employment among crores of people. “I assure the global forum that we in Pakistan will stick to our commitment to peace in South Asia,” the Pakistani Prime Minister said. India should take appropriate steps to create a conducive environment for constructive dialogue. We are neighbors and always will be. The choice is ours. Whether we live in peace or fight with each other. After 1947, we have fought three wars. As a result there has only been an increase in misery, poverty and unemployment on both sides.
Blame terrorism on Afghanistan
Regarding Afghanistan, he said that the isolation of the Afghan interim government at this time could add to the difficulties of the Afghan people who are already destitute. On the issue of terrorism, Shahbaz said that Pakistan shares the major concerns of the international community regarding the threat posed by major terrorist groups operating out of Afghanistan, especially ISIL-K, TTP, Al Qaeda, ETIM and IMU. All of these, he said, need to be dealt with effectively and comprehensively with the support and cooperation of the interim Afghan authorities.
Opposed to making new permanent members
On the issue of reforming the United Nations, he said that 11 new non-permanent members should be added to the Security Council. Adding new permanent members would cripple the council’s decision-making system and create new centers of convenience in violation of the principle of sovereign equality.
