Islamabad:
Pakistan has said people of Jammu and Kashmir are important “stakeholders” in any solution to the Kashmir issue, a day after India asserted that there was “no scope for misunderstanding or misrepresenting” its stand on the role of separatist Hurriyat in Indo-Pak issues.
“Pakistan firmly believes that the final disposition of the Jammu and Kashmir issue should be in accordance with the will of the Kashmiri people, to be determined through a free and impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices, as enshrined in relevant Security Council Resolutions,” the Foreign Office said.
The Foreign Office was responding to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin’s remarks on Pakistan High Commissioner’s consultations with Kashmiri separatists.
“Kashmiris are important stakeholders as they are the ones required to exercise their right to self-determination,” it said.
Maintaining that Indo-Pak talks are important for peace, economic development and welfare of the people of South Asia, it said, “Pakistan remains committed to a sustained, unconditional and result-oriented dialogue with India, to discuss all outstanding issue.”
India yesterday said that there was “no scope for misunderstanding or misrepresenting” its position on the role of the so called Hurriyat in Indo-Pak issues, making it clear that there was no place for a third party.
Hitting out at Pakistan for the statement that India had no objection to invitation to Hurriyat leaders to its National Day celebrations in New Delhi, Akbaruddin had said, “The Government of India prefers to speak for itself”.
“Having repeated it on so many occasions there should be no scope for misunderstanding or misrepresenting India’s position on the role of the so called Hurriyat.
“Let me reiterate there are only two parties and there is no place for a third party in resolution of India-Pakistan issues. The only way forward to proceed on all outstanding issues is a peaceful bilateral dialogue within the framework of Simla Agreement and Lahore Declaration,” the MEA Spokesperson had said.
