FO says Islamabad looks forward to closely
working with new US admin in pursuit of ‘common
ideals of freedom, democracy and prosperity’;
Washington and Trump govt will continue to be
sensitised to HR violations in IHK
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday welcomed the US president-elect Donald Trump's offer of mediation between Pakistan and India on the lingering Kashmir dispute.
“We welcome this. Mr. Trump during his election campaign had said that he would like to play the role of a mediator or arbitrator between India and Pakistan. Mr. Sartaj Aziz also welcomed this offer,” Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria remarked during the weekly media briefing here.
However, only time will tell about Trump’s interest in Kashmir because during his election campaign eight years ago President Obama had also talked about addressing the Kashmir issue, but geo-strategic realities cleared his vision and his interest turned to capturing the huge Indian markets and using the Modi government to curb an ambitious China.
Pakistan says it looks forward to closely working with the new US administration in pursuit of their common ideals of freedom, democracy and prosperity. It reminded the new administration that relations with the US are longstanding and decades-old.
“The political change in the US has come about through a democratic process, which is being followed there for a very long time. “It will remain our endeavour to promote and strengthen this relationship further and also to work closely in areas of common interest with the new administration.
“We look forward to working with the new administration for the mutual benefit of both countries,” the spokesman added. As the Trump administration settles down to day-to-day governance, Islamabad says it will continue to sensitise Washington and the Trump government to the human rights violation in the Indian Held Kashmir.
“Our efforts will continue. The US is fully aware of Pakistan’s position and sentiments on Kashmir, particularly on the human rights violations in the IHK. “There was reference to Kashmir in the Joint Declaration issued in 2015 during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the US.
“The Prime Minister’s Special Envoys on Kashmir, who visited Washington, also effectively took up the issue with not just the government, but also with the members of parliament and civil society,” added the spokesman.
With the demands of the Oval Office facing him, Thursday saw a remarkable climb down from Trump’s early rhetoric against Muslims, with the US media reporting of Trump’s campaign removing his statement regarding a temporary and complete ban on Muslims from entering the United States.
“We firmly believe that given the imperatives of peace, stability and security in the region, continued close cooperation between Pakistan and the US is important to successfully fight terrorism and to attain the shared objectives of regional peace, security and prosperity”, added the spokesman.
Pakistan expressed its disappointment with the British Prime Minister Theresa May after she chose to ignore the presence of more than 700,000 occupation forces in the IHK which are bent upon violating human rights, especially since this dispute was the legacy of the British colonial rule.
“The people of IHK rightfully expect the British government to condemn the widespread human rights violations in the IHK. Britain’s is the oldest democracy and a staunch proponent and protector of human rights. It is sad that the British government has not highlighted the massacre of unarmed innocent Kashmiris, including children, being perpetrated by more than 700,000 Indian occupation forces in the IHK”, said the spokesman.
He also pointed to what was deemed as completely unnecessary and uncalled-for reference in the Indian-British joint statement on Pathankot and Mumbai. “Both the cases are being actively pursued by Pakistan. Mumbai case is sub-judice. After 8 years India acknowledged the need for providing material evidence from their side, which is essential for the trial”, said the spokesman.
Pakistan insists that India has not fulfilled its commitment that it had made at the highest political level to share with it proceedings and investigations of Samjhota Express terrorist attack.
“This issue is older than the Mumbai attack. In the case of Samjhauta Express terrorist attack the mastermind, Swami Aseemanand, an activist of Hindu terrorist organization, RSS, made a public confession”, reminded the spokesman.
Islamabad also proposes to take up India’s decision to decrease the amount of water flowing into Pakistan. “We would avail ourselves of all avenues to highlight violations of the Indus Waters Treaty. Therefore, we have approached the World Bank for establishment of a court of arbitration and are looking forward to its establishment at the earliest, in line with the provisions of Indus Waters Treaty”, said the spokesman.
