Pakistan’s civil-military leadership categorically pushed India to resolve the Kashmir issue with the army chief iterating the realization of putting own house in order first before expecting change from outside.
Addressing the Security Dialogue Conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “If India wants to negotiate, it must first resolve the Kashmir issue.”
The prime minister ruled out initiating dialogue with India after what it had done in Occupied Kashmir on August 5. Imran Khan added that the onus was now on India to take the first step.
Imran Khan said that India should give Kashmiris their legitimate rights, terming it beneficial for itself too.
A day later, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa addressed the conference too.
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Referring to the occupied valley, the army chief said it was high time to bury the past and move forward.
He emphasized that India must now resolve the Kashmir issue as it was the bone of contention of poor relations between both neighbors.
Federal Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry was also impressed by army chief’s balanced speech.
Insightful and eloquent speech by #GenQamarBajwa explains Pakistans security paradigm, world must stand with this vision of peace and #ModiJanta must be made to realise that extremist and coercive attitude has no buyers in the world, peaceful South Asia is best bet
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 19, 2021
Interestingly, the statements from Pakistan’s civil-military leadership on Kashmir and relationship with India have come after Joe Biden assumed the office of US president in January.
Notably, in February, India and Pakistan recommitted resolve to adhere to the 2003 ceasefire at Line of Control (LoC) in February too after scores of ceasefire violations during the past few years.