Nawaz Sharif makes emphatic call for Kashmir settlement in UN address

UNITED NATIONS: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Friday made an emphatic call for resolution of Jammu and Kashmir conflict as imperative for peace security and economic uplift of South Asians saying the region must proceed with more dialogue and diplomacy following missed opportunities including cancellation of last month's Pakistan-India talks.

In his address to the 69th UN General Assembly the prime minister laid out Pakistan’s vision for peaceful relations in the region.

Prime Minister Sharif also underscored Pakistan’s commitment to highest standard of nuclear safety and said the country is following a policy of reliable deterrence but cannot be oblivious to the emerging security scenarios and buildup of armaments.

Nawaz Sharif said Islamabad is striving to overcome challenges of terrorism which he condemned in all its forms and manifestations and sketched out some of the economic and energy policies his government is pursuing for welfare of its people.

We have determined that regional peace and security political stability in the country the rule of law and social justice are absolutely crucial for the realization of these goals.

Above all we will continue to work for the promotion and protection of human rights.

With regard to challenges in the form of extreme weather patterns harming economies he said Pakistan has directly experienced such a calamity only recently.

The monsoon floods in Pakistan have killed hundreds of people displaced millions destroyed and damaged homes livelihoods infrastructure cattle and crops. We are mobilizing all our resources and ingenuity to provide relief and to ensure recovery. The international community should intensify its efforts to move from awareness to commitments to actions on climate change which is playing havoc with the economies particularly in the developing countries.

Speaking in the regional security context Pakistan aspires to build a peaceful neighborhood by pursuing a policy of constructive engagement he said.

In South Asia our people have missed opportunities for prosperity because of unresolved conflicts. We have a choice today continue with the status quo or to seize the moment to resolve all outstanding issues and free up our shared energies for cooperation.

We were disappointed at the cancellation of the Foreign Secretary level talks. The world community too rightly saw it as another missed opportunity, he said in a reference to India s unilateral cancellation of talks which were to be held in August.

Pakistan is convinced that we must remain engaged in the dialogue process for settling disputes and building economic and trade relations. Let us not ignore the dividends of peace. He reminded the global gathering of leaders that more than six decades ago the United Nations passed resolutions to hold a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir and that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are still waiting for the fulfillment of that promise.

Many generations of Kashmiris have lived their lives under occupation accompanied by violence and abuse of their fundamental rights. Kashmiri women in particular have undergone immense suffering and humiliation.

For decades attempts have been made both under UN auspices and bilaterally in the spirit of the Lahore Declaration to resolve this dispute. The core issue of Jammu and Kashmir has to be resolved. This is the responsibility of the international community.

We cannot draw a veil on the issue of Kashmir until it is addressed in accordance with the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir he said.

Pakistan’s, western neighbour Afghanistan, the Prime Minister, noted that the country is going through momentous security political and economic transitions.
Referring to the ongoing operation Zarb e Azb, he said Pakistan has launched a massive operation to eliminate terrorism. Complementary counter terrorism measures on the Afghan side of the border are essential to achieve optimal results.

Turning to the Middle East, the prime minister said this past summer the people of Gaza were subjected to mass atrocities by Israel. We condemned the indiscriminate killings of civilians which amounted to genocide.

From this platform I once again convey Pakistan s condolences and sympathies to the people of Palestine over their continuing plight.

We welcome the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel. But next steps must also be taken. The blockade of Gaza must be lifted Palestinian prisoners freed and illegal settlements halted.

The United Nations should facilitate a just and lasting solution of the Palestinian issue based on the relevant UN resolutions. Speaking about the Syrian conflict he said Islamabad calls on all parties in Syria to renounce military and militant means and hold dialogue to restore peace and stability in their historic land.

The emergence of new militant entities in the Middle East once again illustrate that terrorism is a global threat. This primitive force in Iraq and Syria is an aberration which has no sanction of any religion. It must be countered with unified and resolute will. He said We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

We are fighting terrorism planted on Pakistan s soil. Our valiant soldiers are laying down their lives to take out terrorists and tear down their evil networks. The entire nation is behind them. In the past 13 years as a frontline state, Pakistan has given enormous sacrifices in blood and resources, the prime minister said.

Over 50 000 people have lost their lives and thousands have suffered serious injuries and the economy has lost hundreds of billions of dollars in direct costs and denied investment opportunities he added.

Yet in this fight each time a soldier falls another takes his place proudly. It is the resolve of our nation to fight this scourge to the finish.

At the same time Islamabad has made a plan of action for the relief and rehabilitation of nearly one million internally dislocated persons, he said.

This includes a strategy to prevent return and resurgence of militancy and creation of a safe environment for the local population, Nawaz Sharif said

He said Pakistan will pursue a policy of nuclear restraint and credible minimum deterrence. As a responsible nuclear weapon state we will continue to support the objectives of nuclear disarmament and non proliferation and pursue a policy of nuclear restraint and credible minimum deterrence.

Pakistan is not participating in any arms race in the region. Yet we cannot be oblivious to the emerging security scenarios and buildup of armaments. We too have the obligation to maintain a robust and reliable deterrence, he added.