No bargain on Kashmir, vows Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has categorically stated that the Kashmir issue is a vital cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and ruled out any kind of bargain on the issue.

Talking to Kashmiri leaders and later addressing a gathering of Pakistanis in New York, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said “The Kashmir dispute should be resolved in line with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.”

“Peace cannot be restored in the South Asian region without resolving the Kashmir dispute,” he maintained.

Munir Akram, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, was also present.

Pakistan, according to Qureshi, has strong concerns over human rights abuses in Indian-occupied Kashmir. He reaffirmed his country’s commitment to providing unarmed Kashmiris with moral, political and diplomatic assistance.

Qureshi said that India plans to alter the demographic makeup of the occupied territory.

Address to Pakistanis

Qureshi likened the situation in Kashmir to that of the currently simmering crisis of Palestine. "There is a similarity between the situations of Palestine and Kashmir," he said while addressing a gathering of Pakistanis. "Like Palestine, the people of Kashmir are demanding the right to self-determination."

He told the gathering of overseas Pakistanis that he highlighted the resemblance between the circumstances in Kashmir and Palestine during his meeting with the UN secretary-general.

The Palestinians want to live peacefully, he said, adding that similarly, Pakistanis also want to lead a peaceful coexistence with their neighbours. "But, we have issues which can be talked over and settled," he pointed out. "So, let's sit down together and seek solutions to the problems. With our issues amicably tackled, we can live together like good neighbours."

Qureshi expressed the government’s unwavering commitment to the Kashmir cause, saying Prime Minister Imran Khan was not a mercenary looking to sell off the Kashmir.

“We are not business people and we will never accept any bargain for Kashmir,” he said.

During his meeting with the UN secretary-general, he brought up the similarities between the situations in Kashmir and Palestine, he told a group of Pakistanis living abroad.

Palestinians want to live in harmony, he said, and Pakistanis want to live in peace with their neighbours as well.

“But, we have issues which can be talked over and settled,” he pointed out. “So, let’s sit down together and seek solutions to the problems. With our issues amicably tackled, we can live together like good neighbours.”