Resolution of Kashmir dispute must for peace in South Asia: PM

Nawaz Sharif says Pakistan wants good relations with all its neighbours

WASHINGTON DC: While regretting India's response to his overture for peace, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif underlined on Tuesday the importance of Kashmir dispute for attaining peace in the region.

Speaking to Pakistani-American community in Washington at the start of three-day official visit to the US, the prime minister said Pakistan wanted good relations with all its neighbours, including India, and was making sincere efforts for durable peace in the region.

"The entire world knows that Kashmir is the root cause of tension in the region," said the PM Nawaz while referring to the UN resolutions which call for right of self-determination to Kashmiri people.

"If we sincerely want to bring peace to the region, we will have to resolve the Kashmir issue."



The PM noted India's response to efforts for peace has not been encouraging.

He also expressed Pakistan's strong desire for peace in Afghanistan, assuring Islamabad would continue to play its role to achieve regional peace.

PM Nawaz is on his second official state visit to the US since assuming power in 2013.

He will hold discussions on relations with United States, India and Afghanistan with President Obama during the official talks planned for Thursday.



Meanwhile, about the present law and order situation in the country, he said today's Pakistan was different from what he inherited two and a half years ago.

"Today, Karachi, Balochistan and FATA are not the same as they were a few years ago."

He admitted that terrorism was the biggest issue facing the country.



"The day is not far off when terrorism would be uprooted completely," added the prime minister.

He said Pakistan's economic revival had been acknowledged by international agencies, assuring the government's primary responsibility was to deal with the power shortage which would end by 2018.