Pakistan committed to peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue: PM Nawaz Sharif

BAKU, Azerbaijan : Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Saturday said Kashmir was the main cause of unrest in the region and India must show seriousness for its resolution and honour its commitment, under the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

He said Pakistan was committed to peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue as it was a peace-loving country. He regretted Indian baseless allegations over the Uri incident.

The Prime Minister, during an informal chat with the mediamen, said within six hours of the Uri incident, India levelled allegations against Pakistan, and reiterated that no infiltration took place on the Line of Control (LoC).

Pakistan offered holding of dialogue on the outstanding issues on several times but India did not reciprocate, he said, adding if India was serious in resolving the issues,then Pakistan would talk to it.

Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan was a peace loving country and war was not the solution to any issue. India should opt for a serious approach to resolve all issues, he added.

To a query, he replied that he was deeply moved by the sentiments of the father of Burhan Wani.
The Prime Minister said his government had introduced a new culture of political tolerance in the country as they respected mandate of every party. “The PPP (Pakistan People’s Party) formed government in Sindh and we respected it. Similarly we have respected MQM (Muttahida Qaumi Movement) as an opposition party. Even unethical language is used in KPK (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) where we also respected the public mandate,” he added.

He vowed to make Pakistan move forward on the path of progress and prosperity despite certain elements’ plans to shut the country.

To a question, the Prime Minister said work on several energy projects was underway throughout the country. About 10,000 MW power would be added to the national grid by end of the government’s term in 2018, bringing the cost of electricity further down, besides helping to overcome the power shortages.
Within one year, there was marked decline in the power outages and price of electricity, he said, adding the industry was now getting uninterrupted power supply.

To another question, the Prime Minister said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be completed on fast track basis. He said the CPEC would be a harbinger of fast track development in the country as a number of energy, infrastructure and power projects were being completed
throughout its length and breadth.

He said the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project would be functional soon, moreover work on coal and LNG based projects would also be completed. “We are only thinking about Pakistan and within few
years, the countrymen will witness a rapid progress and development owing to the policies of his government,” he added.

The government was pursuing uniformed policies for all provinces, the tapping of coal reserves in Sindh while work on Greenline project in Karachi was another indication, he added.
The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction over peace in Karachi.