Pakistan scolds India for scuttling diplomatic efforts

Ambassador Jilani condemns Delhi’s plan to use water as a weapon

WASHINGTON: Pakistan deeply regrets Indian designs to scuttle all diplomatic efforts for dialogue, said Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Jalil Abbas Jilani. The ambassador was delivering a key-note address at the World Affairs Council, a Washington-based think-tank.

He also lambasted at the Indian plans to use water as a weapon against the Pakistani people and termed it as a flagrant violation of international treaty obligations.



Jilani called on the US and the international community to help resolve the Kashmir dispute. He also urged them not to allow New Delhi to distract world from the atrocities in the disputed valley.

Ambassador Jilani said, "peace and stability in South Asia will not be possible without resolving underlying disputes, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir being the core dispute; measures for nuclear and missile restraint; and balance with regard to conventional arms.

The envoy further said, "Pakistan's proposal for a strategic restraint is based on three inter-locking elements," drawing the attention towards Pakistan's efforts for peace in the region.



On the issue of Kashmir, the Jilani said that that Kashmir as a nuclear flashpoint must not be underestimated. "The international community and the US in particular need to play a role in seeking a peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions."

He added that the recent indigenous uprising in Kashmir bears testimony to the aspiration of Kashmiri people in seeking what the international community had promised but not delivered. The Ambassador also shed light on the recent visit of PM’s envoys visit to Washington to share Pakistan's perspective, on the grave human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Kashmir, with the US.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2016.