Sharif’s United Nations proposal an opportunity to reduce tension between India, Pak

Pakistan has maintained that the four-point initiative presented by the Prime Minister at the UN General Assembly is the way forward for reducing tension and resolution of outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India.

“We encourage efforts to strengthen safety and security measures and continue to hold regular discussions with Pakistan on a range of global issues, including nuclear security, counter terrorism, and worldwide norms”, an administration spokesperson said in a tacit acknowledgement that a few sort of dialogue is taking place on the nuclear issue.

“We have insisted for negotiations on all issues including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir”.

According to people on the Indian side, Pakistan suggested a meeting between the national security advisers (NSAs) of the two countries, to be either immediately preceded or followed by a meeting of the two foreign ministers-something unacceptable to India.

The United States argued that it could not make a similar deal with Pakistan because the former head of its atomic programme, Dr. A. Q, Khan sold nuclear technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea. “Pakistan’s track record is completely different so we hope that will taken into account in making any such decision”.

Regarding the recent upsurge in violence over cow-slaughtering in India, the spokesperson said the country which claims to be a secular state should guarantee basic rights to its minorities.

Fielding a question on Taliban attacks in Afghanistan, he said, there was “no truth in allegations that Pakistani agencies or forces” are involved in such attacks.

Pakistan on Thursday said that attacks on Muslims (in India) for slaughtering a cow are “beyond comprehension and a cause of concern for the Muslim Ummah”. We will not tolerate the presence of DA’ISH or any of its associated group on our land. Pakistan had then also proposed that foreign secretaries meet on the sidelines of the dialogue between the NSAs here.

He further informed that the number of martyrs of Mina stampede has reached 89, injured still being treated 5 and missing 43, adding, “All efforts are being made to locate the missing Pakistanis”. But the meeting was called off after India asked Pakistan to drop its insistence on including the issue of Kashmir in the agenda and on consulting the Hurriyat Conference and other separatist organisations before the parleys.

“The Saudi authorities have extended full cooperation to Pakistan in identification of martyrs and the finding of missing pilgrims”, he said.