Peace
NEW YORK/ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani underscored Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful and cooperative neighborly relations with India.
He expressed concerns about the negative response to Pakistan’s “positive outreach and peace efforts.” This included the opening of the Kartarpur corridor to facilitate visa-free visits by the Indian Sikh community.
Speaking at the Asia Society conference in New York, Jilani emphasized Pakistan’s desire for peaceful ties with India.
Jalil Abbas Jilani and caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar are representing Pakistan at the UN General Assembly.
Jilani cited India’s illegal actions in India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the “abhorrent human rights violations” against innocent Kashmiris by Indian security forces as factors that have further strained relations between the two countries.
He also pointed to the escalating religious extremism in India, particularly against Muslims, as a complicating factor.
In this complex environment, Jilani noted that India’s belligerence and anti-Pakistan rhetoric during domestic elections are pushing the two nations further from the goals of regional peace and stability.
He called for peaceful and constructive dialogues to address all outstanding issues in Jammu and Kashmir.
Furthermore, FM Jilani highlighted Pakistan’s significant stake in achieving peace in Afghanistan, both internally and in its relations with regional and international partners.
Foreign Minister stressed that Pakistan is actively engaging with the Afghan interim government and cooperating with the international community on Afghanistan.
Jilani also noted Pakistan’s long-standing role in hosting nearly four million Afghan refugees for almost four decades, emphasizing their eventual return to contribute to Afghanistan’s economic development.
He expressed pride in Pakistan’s commitment to hosting refugees, a situation unparalleled in the world.
India’s involvement in murder of a Sikh leader is not a surprise for Pakistan: Indian ignored peace overtures
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Syrus Qazi stated that Canada’s allegations of India’s involvement in the killing of a Sikh leader was not surprise for Pakistan. He said that India had engaged in sabotage activities in Pakistan for decades.
Qazi addressed the media at Pakistan’s mission to the United Nations and asserted that if Canada’s prime minister accused India of being involved in Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s assassination, the claim could not be baseless.
He further noted that this statement was unsurprising, considering India’s history of attempting to destabilize Pakistan. Qazi also pointed out that Pakistan currently held a serving officer from the Indian navy in custody on charges of espionage and sabotage.
Qazi emphasized that if any country in the world understood India well, it was Pakistan.
