'Pakistan regrets Indian designs to scuttle efforts for dialogue'

Islamabad, Oct 22: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Jalil Abbas Jilani has called on Washington and the intertiol community to help resolve the Kashmir dispute and not allow India to divert attention from atrocities being committed against civilians. Delivering a keynote address at the World Affairs Council, a Washington-based think-tank on Thursday night, the envoy regretted that India was undermining all diplomatic efforts for a dialogue, including its refusal to engage at the South Asian Association for Regiol Cooperation (Saarc) forum.

“The peace and stability in South Asia will not be possible without resolving underlying disputes, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir being the core dispute; measures for nuclear and missile restraint and balance with regard to conventiol arms,” Ambassador Jilani said. “Pakistan’s proposal for a strategic restraint regime, based on these three inter-locking elements, remains on the table,” he said. Pakistan, he added, has positioned itself as a mainstream partner in the intertiol non-proliferation regime as well as the global efforts to strengthen nuclear security and safety. On the issue of Kashmir, Ambassador Jilani said Kashmir, as a nuclear flashpoint, must not be underestimated.

“The intertiol community and the US in particular need to play a role in seeking a peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” he said. On Pakistan-US relations, the Ambassador shared perspective on trends and prospects in the longstanding relationship and its continuing significance to the foreign policy of Pakistan. (IANS)