Durable peace in South Asia linked with resolution of Kashmir dispute: FO

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri has said that durable peace, security and development in South Asia hinge on peaceful resolution of longstanding Kashmir issue.
While responding to a question at weekly-news briefing in Islamabad on Friday, the FO spokesperson said that both Pakistan and India need to discuss all outstanding issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute with a view to seek peaceful resolution of this longstanding dispute as per international legitimacy.
Kashmir dispute remains central point to any meaningful engagement between India and Pakistan but unfortunately, India vitiated the environment through its illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, he added.
Chaudhri said that the onus is therefore on New Delhi to create an enabling environment for a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue between Pakistan and India.
Regarding the role of a third-party facilitation in resolution of Kashmir dispute, he said that Pakistan has always maintained that the international community has an important role to play in averting risk to peace and stability in the region.
Responding to a question, the FO spokesperson said that Pakistan is a peace-loving country, but at the same time it is resolutely resolved to defend itself against any misadventure.
He said that Pakistan continues to promote peace, security and stability in the region for prosperity of its own people and of the South Asian region as a whole.
To another question, Chaudhri said that the false spin by the India media that Sikh Yatrees are stranded in Pakistan is unfortunate.
He said that Pakistan remains committed to facilitating Sikh Yartrees from around the world, including from India for visiting their religious sights.