Pakistan

At UN, Nawaz to propose steps for defusing tensions

PM will outline the measures during his address before the UN assembly

Our Correspondent September 24, 2015

PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will propose new measures to defuse tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) and working boundary during his address at the UN General Assembly session next week.

“Premier Nawaz will propose to India a series of new steps to bring the situation along the LoC and working boundary under control,” a senior official who has seen the draft of the prime minister’s speech told The Express Tribune on Wednesday.

Although the official did not provide any details, Premier Nawaz is expected to suggest better coordination mechanisms to avoid frequent ceasefire violations.

Read: PM Nawaz departs for New York to attend UNGA session

The intensity and frequency of ceasefire violations along the LoC and working boundary have seen an unprecedented increase over the past few weeks, leaving scores of civilians dead on both sides. Both sides accused the other of triggering the hostilities.

According to the official, Prime Minister Nawaz, in his address, will highlight Pakistan’s policy of a peaceful neighbourhood. “Pakistan does not want that situation to get out of control, even if there is no resumption of composite dialogue,” he said.

However, the official added that Pakistan will forcefully raise the longstanding Kashmir dispute at the General Assembly session – something that will certainly invite a strong reaction from India. He also disclosed that the government had decided in principle to raise the issue of Indian interference in Balochistan, Karachi and the tribal areas before the UN.

“The strategy on how to present the dossier against India is being worked out,” the official said.

When asked, the official insisted that the government had ‘credible and hard evidence’ of India’s involvement in creating unrest in Pakistan.

To a question, the official ruled out a meeting between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan at the sidelines of the UN session.

Read: UN General Assembly approves Palestinian request to fly its flag

Nawaz is expected to address the UN General Assembly session on September 30. He will also have several bilateral meetings at the sidelines of the UN session in New York.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2015.

COMMENTS (10)

someone | 9 years ago | Reply So NS is going to propose "steps" in GA. Seems establishment is still working on his speech.

Black Jack | 9 years ago | Reply At some point UN will just stop inviting Pakistan for it has nothing constructive to contribute to UN meetings. While the whole world talks about economy, climate change and ISIS menace, Nawaz will say "but what about Kashmir.....its the root cause of all trouble in world". Well no harm in letting himself get embarrassed again for getting no attention in UN. World leaders will just toss the dossiers in the dust bin before walking out of the hall. Get real Pakistan and do something constructive for your own civilians.

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miristan | 9 years ago | Reply India must be exposed to United Nation. they are modern colonists. trouble maker in the region. If not control now than do not blame Pakistan options are limited.

A-No.1 | 9 years ago | Reply Only Indians commenting? Any way, hopefully he will have an audience larger than 5, the number seated in the hall last time he spoke at UNGA.

Blithe | 9 years ago | Reply @V. C. Bhutani He is our elected PM and has proved to be a statesman as compared to Moodi. Have some respect. At least we do not have a PM who is war monger and a communalist . And yes, he is also commander of our armed forces and the one in control . Otherwise , there would have been a war by now.

Azhar | 9 years ago | Reply “The strategy on how to present the dossier against India is being worked out,” the official said. What does this mean? If there is hard evidence, what strategy is required? Just show it to the world. Yes, if the evidence is fake, then you need a strategy.

V. C. Bhutani | 9 years ago | Reply Nawaz Sharif should read out his lines at the GA, get his share of the applause, and then get off the ramp. Having enjoyed a moment of important with Cameron in London, he should have a photo op with Obama and then take the earliest flight home. At home he has the humdrum life of the civil-military tussle. Hopefully, he should still be in office after coming back. V. C. Bhutani, Delhi, 24 Sep 2015, 1115 IST

Josh | 9 years ago | Reply Hard Evidence is a myth. No matter what evidence is given, the other party can always say that these evidences are fixed. Haven't we seen than happening? what's the point in going in talking about the evidences. I guess the credibility needs to be built first in the international community for others to take your evidence seriously. That applies to all in general. Let's look after our people first. There are tonnes of problems that need to be addressed immediately. Leave Kashmir and all other contentious issues alone for a while and focus on what is in control..

Prakash | 9 years ago | Reply I think everybody knows what those proposed steps are: 1. Hand over Indian Kashmir to us. 2. Before doing that, expel all non-Muslims from the Indian Kashmir. 3. Never mind step number 2. We can take care of it later on.

SKChadha | 9 years ago | Reply Pakistan on one or the other way would like the mediation of third party which India will reject ab initio. Such moves are nothing but further vitiating the situation?

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