Pakistan PM criticises India over Kashmir issue in SCO summit

Shahbaz Sharif

Astana (Kazakhstan) – “In accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolution, all long-standing disputes need to be solved. Pakistan has been demanding it for many days. All countries need to respect the right of people to choose; else, those people have to suffer”, stated Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in front of Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, while criticising India over Kashmir issue. The Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were also present at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State summit under the Presidency of Astana, Kazakhstan.  There is a ban on raking up disputes between two countries in the SCO summit; even then, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Sharif brought up the Kashmir issue. The next summit meeting will be held in Pakistan. Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif extended an invitation to PM Narendra Modi through India’s EAM S Jaishankar for this meeting.

Without referring to India, PM Sharif said that terrorism should be handled collectively even when there is involvement of a person, group or country. All types of terrorism should be frankly and unconditionally criticised. Killing innocent people is unjustifiable. Terrorism should not be used for political gain. Eradication of terrorism is a pre-requisite for economic development.

Earlier, Pakistan had accused India of helping Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch Liberation Army through ‘RAW’, Indian Intelligence Organisation, in targeting Chinese people.

Editorial Perspective

Pakistan needs to understand that raking up the Kashmir issue at each and every forum is not going to help in any way. India too, needs to take severe action to solve the Kashmir issue permanently.