He also appealed to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday for assistance in solving the long-running dispute with India over the status of Kashmir, according to a press release.
"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. The Prime Minister had also reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to work for resolution of this issue through negotiations," said Aziz, adding that India had adopted a policy that runs counter to its stated desire to engage in a serious bilateral dialogue with Pakistan.
Aziz revived Pakistan's demand for Kashmiris to be allowed to hold a plebiscite to decide the region’s future, as called for by a UN resolution adopted in 1948. India has long opposed a plebiscite.
“For decades, Pakistan has been reminding the United Nations and the international community to fulfill that promise, in the interest of durable peace and security in the region,” Aziz said in his letter to Ban Ki-moon.
Former president and military ruler Pervez Musharraf had said in 2003 that he was prepared to set aside that demand in an effort to reach a settlement over Kashmir.
The disputed border running through Kashmir is heavily militarised on both sides. Since the beginning of October, Pakistan and India have been firing mortars and machine-guns across the border, leading to the highest death toll in a decade among civilians on both sides.
It is unclear what started the intense firing, although officers who have served on the disputed Line of Control say that small incidents can rapidly escalate as each side responds with ever-increasing force. India controls more than half of the disputed Himalayan region, and Pakistan controls around a third, while China holds 10 percent of the territory.
COMMENTS (78)
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@MJ:
Please read the 1948 UN resolutions and India Independence Act before talking about who did what. It is true that Nehru referred the Kashmir intrusion by Pakistan to UN, and UN did the resolution calling on pakistan to withdraw, which it never did. Part of the resolution says that once Pakistan withdraws from areas occupied by its intruders, UN will determine a day to hold plebescite. Pakistan never withdrew.
Junagadh & Hyderabad were never an issue, because its rulers didn't get any right to secede or accede to Pakistan. The Mountbatten Plan, which is the agreement that INC, Muslim League signed on never allowed creation of more than two dominions, and it didn't allow geographically non-contiguous states to join either dominion.
India agreed to UN resolution and was fully prepared for Plebescite in Kashmir. But, that was 1948, and this is now.
Pakistan of 1947 doesn't remain anymore (half of that state is Bangladesh). And portion of Kashmir is with China and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir demographics have changed.
@Mega. It was India that ran to UN after attacking Junagarh and Hyderabad because they knew the outcome of the plebiscite would be in their favor because of Hindu majority. Whereas India blocked every attempt to do the same in Kashmir because they knew that it was Muslim majority. Pakistan in both cases was and is willing to accept the decision made by the people while Indians have carried on the legacy of Nehru's ego.
for many Indians : actually your media never told about rest of Pakistan but few names which you guys are repeating. I wish your media can show real face / real people of Pakistan. After seeing so many comments Its clear you indians are badly misinformed about Pakistani society. if terrorism spread cuz of Pakistan so in return Pakistani are still trying to stop it. .Many respectable and educated have sacrificed their life for the Pay roll jihadis who were created in Russia war. All Parties should be accused of terrorism in the region as there were big players too who used Pakistan and still safe ( My finger is toward west ). There is more then 70% literacy rate in Karachi city alone who has a large % of labour population as well.
so calling a society illiterate is humiliating a society have Asia's best poet singers players , actress and civilization like Indus and rich culturally. But Sad part is that your media is never going to tell you such things dear indians.
@Haider: Teaching pakistan to mind its own business and stop interfering in our internal affair.
@Mega:
UN resolution of 1948 was not against India! It was against the intrusion from Pakistan. Yes, it calls for Plebiscite in Pakistan, only when UN can determine that Pakistan has vacated its intruders to Kashmir. Even today Pakistan occupies half of Kashmir and has not withdrawn the intruders, changed the demographics of Pak Administered Kashmir thus rendering the 65 year old UN resolution infructuous.
The only solution to Kashmir now is to covert the LOC to a border.
@ MJ What about Bhawalpur , of Pkistan now...google it
And the news is that UN denied to honor/entertain Pakistan's plea to interfare between Pak & India.
Calm down all of you. The UN has told Pakistan to sort the problem bilaterally with India:)
@MJ: the whole subcontinent was india. British india. So if India claims back its motherland I don't see a problem in it. And if you had a problem about Junagarh and Hyderabad you should should have gone UN then.Your fault, though you would have lost it. And now it's out of topic as its not a dispute. And correction india didn't attack kashmir. Jammu and kashmir king signed "legal document with us when your people attacked them. So we have legal documents to hold land we have, unlike you who are occupying it illegally. And when your people talk un resolution why not follow the condition you are required to do first than preach? Take back the land you sold to China, move your other state people who are illegallly settled there and then can we talk of moving forward. It's funny when you guys rant so much UN why not follow the same UN who has banned JUd and Hafeez group? What excuse do you have in that regard to treat them as heroes? And after Simla and Lahore agreement, UN can't do anything. Your leaders should have thought before signing it.
Indian logic:
Junagarh ... Muslim rule, Hindu majority. Attack the state after partition, then run to UN and let the people decide by vote.
Hyderabad ... Muslim rule, Hindu majority. Attack the state right after partition, then run to UN and let the people decide by vote.
Kashmir, Hindu rule, Muslim majority .. Kashmir attacked by both countries ... Why go to UN? We will never let people decide by vote. Kashmir is an undisputed part of India.
"Chit bhi meri pat bhi meri anta mere baap ka"
@Aakashvaani: Choose your battle ground, lets do it once and for all.
@Usama:
How ignorant is it for the Junta to blame the leaders that 'THEY THEMSELVES' have voted to power. It only translates into a fact that the majority of voters think different that YOU do, simple as that. That's democracy. But reckon Pakistan will always criticize an option in hand for the absence of another at that moment, resulting in total chaos and absurd running around.
They run to the UN for interfering in Kashmir despite being spurned away every time they have tried to internationalize the issue. At the same time, they cry foul when their 'NGOs' get banned by the same UN and other international agencies. Honestly, will there ever be any linearity/ stability in the thoughts and decisions of the establishment in Pakistan? From how things stand at the moment, and there doesn't seem to be any indication of it changing, there is no power in the world that will step in to mediate on Kashmir against India's wishes. So while Pakistan can try all it wants to seek a resolution with outside intervention, there is little possibility of it happening.
As for the nonsensical border skirmishes, if only for a brief moment any sane human, Pakistani or Indian, pondered over which nation has interests in these ceasefire violations, then this discussion/ argument would be useless. Also, for the aftereffects of cross-border firing, the fact that Indian media was blacked-out in Pakistan and the local media was refrained from accessing the border areas on the Pak side is testimony enough to figure who bore the brunt of this round of mischief.
@Haider: Who stopped you to go and prove with the evidence you got in your hand, how many years you are claiming these evidence, still you do not have guts to go and prove in front of world body, shame on you and your leader who are having evidence and sitting on it without complaining against India sorry state na.... stupid I have heard people who always have conspiracy theories would not have logic of thinking
@Haider: Why just plebiscite in Kashmir, why not for the whole subcontinent to see what they want. Kashmiris are not descended from heaven. Open the whole issue of partition itself. We, the descendents of the people who migrated from Pakistan and those who migrated to Pakistan have the same rights as Kashmiris, if not more.
Did ever before now India acted upon and obeyed UNO's resolutions for resolving Kashmir's issue that will act now and how long Pakistani coward leadership shall see towards UNO for peaceful solution of Kashmir?Methinks even I am dead sure that Pakistani coward leadership knows it very well and fully that UNO has discharged Kashmir's issue from its charter and has said that Pakistan and India has/will have to resolve Kashmir's issue by peace dialogues/talks but unfortunately India has been rejecting peace talks and has been deceiving and fooling Pakistani coward leadership and Kashmiri people since last 65 years and most especially importantly Narendra Modi has refused to accept this Pandit Jawahir La'al Nehru's this golden statement that Kashmiri people shall decide themselves that either they want to affiliate with India or Pakistan.Please stop it now and if you have courage then take back Kashmir from India other wise forget Kashmir because India is never going to release Kashmir at any costs......
@Golden Words: You really want to know us?? By coming to our pages and bashing the country, starting personal attacks to people and making a mockery of the homeland i belong to and you think you are knowing us? Either am too naive or you are
Stop being a cry baby. Be a man.
@surjo: Well surjo, pakistan can not be a prosperous country as long as it has a shackle with large iron ball called kashmir on its feet. Pakistan is not big enough to carry the weight of this iron ball. Unless pakistan get rid of this shackle, it can not run in the race of development. Pakistan is wasting all its energy into carrying this iron ball.
@mansoor hashmi: Yes at a time that Indian army was pushing back the kabailis and reclaiming Kashmir, Nehru foolishly ran to UN against advice by Sardar Patel. Had he allowed the army to take care of the issue then, we would not have this problem now.
So you will definitely not find Indians defending Nehru here.
@Haider: From the time of Simla agreement signing, which said issue needs to be resolved bilaterally, India has not gone to UNMOGIP even during Kargill when as we all know Pakistan had soldiers to India dressed as tribals.
India will not allow a 3rd party to intervene? It will also defend its land and its people and punish those seeking to infiltrate Terrorists to India by providing coverfire.
@Vinsin Very nice....That's why Democracy not working in Pakistan...Hope IK makes it healthy......Yes Kashmir issue would have been solved I think Pakistan wasnt convinced whether India will do a plebiscite or not......Hope for the best....After long time a comment by an Indian is a geniune atleast for me
@Haider: do you really think that the world will believe your statement ..?
oh no. posting a comments is subject to censor.....omg how free press it is!!!
not only pak people pak media also obssessed about India. In every section there is India be it sports politics economy or entertainment. I do know what stops Pakistan to become a super rich super power nation...go get it. we hardly bother.
This letter writing ritual is being practiced since decades by Pakistani, I believe UNSG must be having highest count of letters from PAK. Every times PAK writes a letter to UNSG, the officials at UNSG must be murmuring and cracking fun on this complaining kid the PAK.
ET: Moderate this piece but post it. Modi wants to teach Pakistan a lesson. Indeed he said that the Indian forces have already taught a lesson to Pakistan. Now, given Modi’s aggressive posture, Pakistan should be prepared to fight a full-scale war with India. But it is not prepared for it now as the domestic conditions are unfavorable. Pakistan should play peace but if India does not respond positively then Pakistan would have no option but to respond in kind. But escalation is possible to a level of a full-fledged war. Therefore, Pakistan needs preparation. Since strategic nuclear weapons are only for deterrence, Pakistan would need tactical nuclear weapons, such as, the neutron bomb to stop the Indian military’s behemoth from invading Pakistan, which India would attempt given its previous unfulfilled intention to bisect Pakistan into two by invading through the Rajasthan border during the India-Pakistan stand-off of 2002. It is inhumane to use nuclear tactical weapons but it is equally inhumane if a vast military juggernaut as India invades a country only one-fifth of its size and strength. Should such an eventuality take place and only if, then Pakistan should be prepared to use tactical nuclear weapons to stop the Indian onslaught that if permitted could cause as much casualties on Pakistan forces. It is best that India should quit while it is ahead and stop provoking Pakistan and take a realistic view of the Kashmir issue, at least, bring peace internally to the Indian occupied part of Kashmir.
This episode started with Nawaz Sharif address at UN to internationalise Kashmir issue which was completely ignored by it and little was achieved. The frustrated military brass then started firing at LoC with the same objective, but India gave a massive response destroying several Pak check posts and even this move also backfired on them. The brilliant military minds thereafter drafted a letter to UN but the same is unlikely to cut any ice as UN is literally run by US and Pakistan will receive stereotype reply from the UN asking both countries to observe restraint on border and solve Kashmir issue bilaterally through dialogue. As for India is concerned, Modi has categorically stated that no talks will take place until Pakistan create a peaceful environment. What Pakistan needs to understand that its decades old policy of cross-border terrorism will no longer be tolerated by India would be replied with a massive response and the same if continued may result in war. The ball clearly lies in the Pakistan court to practice pragmatism which will only lead to peace and prosperity for both countries.
@Haider: Democracy doesn't work well with illiterate people voting. For Democracy to work minimum education for vote should be there. Best time to resolve the Kashmir issue was just after independence. I think Pakistan should have moved his army as per UN resolution and let India conduct a plebiscite under UN. I am sure that Nehru would have done it by 1957. Yes 1965 war changed the dynamics of both the countries and from mere rhetoric to real wars. Also the UN resolution was over in 1957 and most the people who can vote are dead. Let see what UN has to reply on that. Nothing will come out bilaterally because both countries are having hawkish position on Kashmir. Both being a Nuclear state it is very difficult for veto power countries to force solution, specially when Indians are not ready to listen. Kashmir has only two solutions either make the current border as international border or India should allow third party intervention and the case for Kashmir has to be fought again in UN with binding principle. For that India needs a different government, both BJP and Congress will never resolve it. But BJP can surprise. Agree with you but India wont allow a neutral person for investigation of cross border firings, India has to give up on holier that you attitude.
UN will soon become like league of nations over next two decades by not including India as permanent member. They need to throw UK and France out and include EU , India & Japan.
Looking at comments it seems I am reading Indian tribune
I am 60 years old .I heard stories from my mother,as tohow muslims(Musalman) and Hindus were living in neigbourhood.She used to talk about her muslim hamjolies/ friends.She also narrated how there father and other village elders banned the entry of their Purohit into their village , for the crime of having killed son in law of a muslim family. Such were the bonds.A Hindu family fondly remembers their villages muslim landlord in sialkot ,who saved them from fanatics. Beleive me Majority of Indians want peace with Pakistan.We on the border earnestly want to visit at least Lahore ,about which our elders fondly talk. Kashmir has become a bone of contention. India is not going to leave it.Pakistan is not going to get it. Let both parts of kashmir progress/ develop. Pak claim is on the basis of majority relegion. I cant comment on any body relegion.But look ,it is Muslim v/s Muslim. Donot run / rush to UN etc.Let peace pervail. BSR
@gudu: It was Nehru who went to UN so why blame Pakistan. Kashmir is a liability for both the nation. Pakistan wants India to fulfill the promises made by Nehru. India wants Kashmir because it was suppose to get 75% of the land for non-muslims after partition. It was Nehru decision to have animosity with Pakistan. In 1956 it was Menon who said Indian has only one enemy and that is Pakistan when Pakistan offered help in case China attacks India. It was Nehru decision/Indian Muslims/Congress via Liaquat Nehru Pact to create a environment of Hostility b/w two countries. Jinnah talked about open borders. It was Jinnah who was ready to discuss Kashmir as bilateral but Nehru refused and declared that Kashmir is an international issue. Nehru wanted to do same for Hyderabad.
@Haider: Then you should complain to Afghanistan not India. The reason for animosity b/w two countries are Liaquat Nehru Pact and Kashmir Issue. India sells weapons to Afghanistan military. Having weapons is not a proof. Baluchistan issue is there since 1947 even when raw was not formed. Unlike India Pakistan has never raised issue of Baluchistan in any international forum or with India.
@Mahi: It was Nehru who first ran to UN.
@indian: Still interested in posting and crying over the newspaper published in pakistan.. lOl.. Hypocrite
Appeal to UN? That was a befitting reply? Ha ha ha :-D
Inspite of being similar cultural and historical background still there is indifference..instead of going to UN we can sort it out ourselves..if there is a fight beteween two brothers in a family its solved within themselves instead of taking it to other family..its 67 years for now and we are still stucked there..infact nobody is going to become a rich by taking over kashmir there are lot of issues more intense than kashmir(poverty,education,inflation) for both the countries..we should focus on them instead..kab tak ye sab chalta rahega..
The best time for Pakistan to get something out of Kashmir was about 20 to 30 years back, when both countries were somewhat economically comparable. Since then, India has surged ahead and pakistan is diving to its nadir. The gap between the countries is far too wide now. While militarily, pakistan may have numbers to atleast compete, economically, it'll be very difficult for the american-aid-dependent nation to fund and sustain a battle, (low or high intensity) against India. The best strategy for Pakistan today would be to work towards economic progress. Once there is good enough money in the country's reserves, Pakistan can shout about Kashmir. Pakistan must realise that this is how it is and not the other way round.
@Usama Many of us Indians have never interacted with an actual pakistani. That is why we are curious and come to pak websites. All we knew about pakistan was ISI, Laskar-e-toiba, Good Taliban(if u kill afgans), Bad Taliban(if u kill pakistanis), Jaish-e-mohammed, Harkatul mujahideen, Iliyas kashmiri, Jihad, blasphemy laws, fidayeen, non-state actors, ...and on and on...... And you know what, amazingly, we found some good pakistanis here. So you shoud be happy!! Oh, I forgot, we also know the pakistani equivalent of Mother Teresa.... Mr Hafiz Sayeed, who as per your judiciary runs a charitable organization which provides funds and training to poor, illiterate, young boys to reach heaven at an early age.
Mr. Aziz : Could you please tell us what Mr. Ban ki-moon's reply was?
@Haider: "Pakistan has called for investigation of Cross border firings…So whats wrong"
The behaviour is like a child who starts a fight and on being hit back goes to the teacher and complains about it. Now you know what's wrong?
forget KASHMIR...India will take care. take care of PAKISTAN...India will not.
@Usama:
"I dont know why Indians are so much concerned about Pakistan."
I will give you answer in numbers:
1947, 1965, 1971, 1999, 26/11
@Usama I knew you are still in Pakistan.
@Usama: If you spread lies, we will fight back, on line and on every premises.
@Haider: How about u going to Kabul and see yourself.
@Tony Singh Pakistan has called for investigation of Cross border firings...So whats wrong
Dear Nawaz Sharif mian,
One of Modi's unique skills is to turn his opposition into "Dehati Aurats".
I think Sartaj has not done the right thing, by going to the UN. There are too many skeletons in our cupboard that if UN does take the letter seriously, we will have to duck for cover. Afghans will complain of the Durand line, India being organised much better and much more smarter will create trouble for us, China will not back us for Uighur. We will be in an embarrassing situation.
India MUST resettle Kashmiri Pundits in Kashmir. Some people from other parts should also be settled there.
Actually, This is a tried and failed trick of Pak. Why dont you realize one sinple thing, If it has not happened in last 67 years when India had weak givernment and leadership, it is not going to yield any fruits when we have strong leadershi. So stop fooling around and stop the firing at border. India will never fire first. Its in our culture.
When the world and UN is embroiled in Ebola and ISIS, Pakistan has to humor it.
@Haider: Kabul is in Afghanistan not in India. Let the UN secretary reply.
@Haider: So what are they doing from Kabul then….. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Afghanistan is not a province of Pakistan making India’s presence or absence in Afghanistan a purely bilateral issue between India and Afghanistan with no place whatsoever for any Pakistani opinions. Anyway, perhaps India is in Afghanistan for the pistachio’s, or maybe it is there because of the low presence of Pakistani Punjabi’s, so what of it?
@Usama
If your country had better education and common sense, you would understand that if your newspapers show indians more, that doesn't mean we are interested in you.. it means your media is all about news from india..
@Haider, not sure how India can use Afghanistan against Pakistan. Afghanistan is a muslim country.
@Haider
Thats your problem, Some terrorists like hafiz saeed tell you that india is causing trouble from kabul, and you people believe it. Unlike pakistan, India's purpose of existence is NOT the destruction of the enemy.
Nobody in India takes these Pakistanis seriously.. it is really laughable watching the Pakistanis perform like clowns..actually they are becoming irritating..
@Golden Words: I dont know why Indians are so much concerned about Pakistan. On one hand, they say leave us, spare us.. we dont care about what you do. But still contradictory you people are highly active on pak newspaper and commenting like you are a true pakistani.. lOl
@Golden Words What's wrong in Investigation.......
@Yash ".India has no intentions of harming Pakistan"
So what are they doing from Kabul then.....
Pakistan, the infant terrible, trying all the dirty tricks to get attention. Sadly no one is listening. World knows of Pakistan's habit of initiating a mischief and then complaining. World has not forgotten Kargil.
I thought most Pakistanis think that UN is a 'American Puppet' or 'Toothless' organisation that should be dissolved. C'mon, battle on if you want Kashmir so badly. Why go crying to UN now?
What UN will do a puppet of USA. stop wasting time and paper on complaining
The past shows the Pakistanis can't be trusted.India has no intentions of harming Pakistan.
Pakistan taking this step is itself a proof that Pakistan has not started this.
again discussing non issue for india its forgotten subject and only foolish mention it
Nobody tends to believe you when you cry 'wolf' too often. The whole world knows which nation has an interest in keeping the border simmering. You might as well bang your head against the wall for all the reaction Pakistan is eliciting from the world. Even your 'sweet-as-honey' friend - China, doesn't buy your story.
Pakistan keeps shifting the goal-post to suit it's purpose.......
Aaah! Like a kid complaining to an already disputed village numberdar.
The issue of Kashmir is 67 years old. It is still unresolved, there is no chance that any of the two will release there part.
Isn't it possible that develop your part and focus on many issues like poverty, education, employment, development, peace, infrastructure.
I understand this may not be easy but is there any other way?
The issue of Kashmir is 67 years old. It is still unresolved, there is no chance that any of the two will release there part.
Isn't it possible that develop your part and focus on many issues like poverty, education, employment, development, peace, infrastructure.
I understand this may not be easy but is there any other way?
Excellent idea!! With Nawaz's UN speech about kashmir received by mostly empty seats and yawns, this is probably the only way to seek international attention. Shoot at India and when they retaliate run to UN highlighting kashmir. Good try...