US most relevant third party intervention to solve Kashmir issue: Pakistan

Washington: Seeking “third party intervention” in the Kashmir issue, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today told American senators here that the US was the “most relevant” party to get involved in the matter.

During his meeting with Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and ranking members of the committee at the Capitol Hill, Sharif briefed them on his recent four-point peace proposal towards India.

According to an official statement: “Members noted the Prime Minister’s proposal that given India’s resistance to bilaterally resolve outstanding issues including Kashmir, it would be imperative to have the third party intervention for which the United States would be most relevant.”

India has rejected any third party intervention to the Kashmir issue and has maintained that all outstanding matters in Indo-Pak ties should be resolved bilaterally.

Outlining his vision of a peaceful neighbourhood, Sharif reiterated his commitment to remain engaged with the Afghan leadership to enhance mutual coordination in dealing with the common challenges of terrorism and promoting peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

He thanked the Committee for its consistent support to democracy, security cooperation and economic development in Pakistan.

He also briefed the members about his economic reforms agenda that led to reviving Pakistan’s economy and upgrading its economic outlook in recent months.

The Prime Minister also briefed the members on the ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the Temporary Dislocated Persons (TDPs) back in their homes in FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) following the clearing of areas by successful military operations.

Appreciating the provision of counter-terrorism assistance by the Congress, Prime Minister said that due to the successful operations of the Pakistani security forces, militants’ command and control infrastructure had been destroyed and ability of militants to plan or conduct any major attack had been significantly diminished.

Members of the Congress said Pakistan was an important country in the region and the US looked forward to engaging with Pakistan to advance the goals of peace and stability there.

They assured Sharif of the continued support by the Congress in complimenting Pakistan’s efforts to stimulate people-centred growth and eliminating militancy and extremism from the region.

–PTI