Kashmir should be included in the Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue :Mushahid Hussain

Lahore: Chairman Senate Defence Committee Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed has said that Indian PM Modi’s Pakistan policy shows a mindset based on aggressive, hawkish policies rooted in the past, which are endangering efforts for regional peace and prosperity. He also called for inclusion of Kashmir  in the Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue, as without peace in Kashmir, South Asia would not be stable.

Responding to suggestion of American scholar Peter Lavoy for Pakistan’s participation in the US-led coalition against ISIS in Iraq, Senator Mushahid Hussain said Pakistan’s armed forces were already fully engaged in the battle against terrorism in Waziristan and Pakistan had suffered and sacrificed the most in this regard since 9/11. Senator Mushahid Hussain stated the U.S. War in Iraq in 2003 paved the way for destabilisation of Iraq and the region, resulting in rise of extremism and terrorism.

Senator Mushahid Hussain was chairing a session on Global Geo-strategic Environment in Post 2014, during an international conference, organized by School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR) with the collaboration of Konrad Adenaur Stiftung, here.

“It is meaningful to note that while the U.S. Says ISIS is the top priority now and interest in South Asia is receding, after the recently-held Summit between Modi and Obama in Washington, ISIS was conveniently not even mentioned in the Joint Communique listing terror organisations, and interestingly, while US was pressuring Pakistan on ISIS, Turkey had rejected such American pressure, citing its own national interests, nor was India asked to join this anti-ISIS coalition”, Senator Mushahid underlined, adding that the US. and international community should acknowledge the sacrifices and contributions of Pakistan during the War against Terror. Regarding references to Pakistan being a ‘weak state, he said Pakistan may be a soft state but it had a strong society with vigour and dynamism, with multiple power centers, and citizen activism was its strong point.

The Senator, while referring to Pak-Afghan relations, said that Pakistan’s positive role in the recently Afghan National Elections was acknowledged by all segments of Afghan society which he termed a positive sign and he welcomed the National Unity Government in Kabul.

Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, Dr. Peter Lavoy, Japan Ambassador H.E. Hiroshi Inomata and Prof. Dr. Hasan Askari Rizvi also spoke on the occasion.