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Rediff.com  » News » Pakistan to approach UN over J&K crisis

Pakistan to approach UN over J&K crisis

By Rezaul H Laskar in Islamabad
Last updated on: August 13, 2008 20:03 IST
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Pakistan on Wednesday said it had begun approaching global bodies like the United Nations over the 'deteriorating situation' in Jammu and Kashmir, ignoring India's warning that such statements amount to clear interference in its internal
affairs and will undermine the composite dialogue process.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said Islamabad is 'deeply concerned over the deteriorating situation in the Indian state that is resulting in loss of life and property of the Kashmiri people'.

                                        Pakistan wants immediate end to J&K violence

Earlier, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi described the police action in Jammu and Kashmir as the 'excessive and unwarranted use of force' against people, drawing strong reaction from India, which said such statements constitute clear interference in internal affairs of an integral part of the country.

Replying to a question on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesman said Pakistan has set in motion the process to call on the 'international community, in particular the United Nations, Organisation of the Islamic Conference and human rights organisations to take notice'.

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The world community and global organisation would also be asked to "impress upon India to observe restraint and rein in the extremist elements that are seeking economic destruction of the Kashmiri people", Sadiq said.

Replying to a question on India's assertion that Pakistan's statements on the Kashmir issue could affect the composite dialogue process, Sadiq said Jammu and Kashmir was a 'disputed territory' according to UN resolutions.

                                   'J&K unrest is the handiwork of politicians'

The composite dialogue process too considers Kashmir a disputed territory and the Kashmir issue was the second item on the agenda of the dialogue process, the spokesman said.

"It is important that an enabling environment, free of violence, is created to sustain the peace process and address the long-standing dispute of Jammu and Kashmir," Sadiq said.

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He also asserted that the situation in Kashmir would not affect the composite dialogue.

"Diplomacy is about talking to each other, it is about reaching out to each other for solutions through talks, and we will continue with that path," Sadiq said.

                                    Coverage: The Amarnath Row

The spokesman also referred to the death of Kashmiri separatist leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz during a protest and described it as "tragic and extremely unfortunate".

He said, "The government of Pakistan condemns the excessive and unwarranted use of force against the people of Jammu and Kashmir".

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Rezaul H Laskar in Islamabad
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