UNITED NATIONS: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Monday highlighting the worst human rights violations in the Indian Occupied Kashmir, urged the United States to use its ‘good offices’ to help in resolving bilateral disputes and issues between Pakistan and India.
“I still remember President Clinton’s promise that US will play its role to help out in resolving bilateral disputes and issues between Pakistan and India,” he said during the meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry, who called on him here on the sidelines of the 71st UN General Assembly session. The prime minister said more than 107 people had been killed in the Indian Occupied Kashmir, thousands injured and worst human rights violations were being committed at the state level. “I expect US administration and Secretary Kerry to use his good offices to help in resolving bilateral issues between Pakistan and India,” he added.
Nawaz Sharif was assisted by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, among others.
Recalling his constructive meetings with the US president during the last three years, he emphasized that strong relations between Pakistan and the United States remained a mutual desire and this partnership was critical to ensure regional peace and stability. He apprised Secretary Kerry of the successes in the field of counter-terrorism, particularly the Operation Zarb-e-Azb that had broken the backbone of terrorists.
Secretary Kerry appreciated the efforts of the armed forces of Pakistan, security institutions and police in rooting out terrorism and extremism. He said Pakistan and Afghanistan had mutual interests in peace and security.
He also lauded the economic turnaround achieved by the present government and successful completion of the IMF Programme.
Secretary Kerry appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in adding thousands of megawatts of power to the national grid through execution of various projects. Pakistan’s efforts in growth and education were positive, he added.
The prime minister said inflation in the country was showing downward trend, economy was booming and growth rate stood at 4.7%.
He said Pakistan had always fought terrorism as a moral obligation. “I have always reached out to neighbouring countries for regional peace, stability and prosperity,” he added. Nawaz Sharif said terrorists’ infrastructure had been dismantled and they were now on the run due to indiscriminate action against all of them. Implementation of the National Action Plan across the country was in full swing, he said, adding the national resolve against terrorism and extremism was unflinching. Discussing the situation in Afghanistan, he expressed satisfaction over a lot of hard work that had been done under the Quadrilateral Coordination Group process, of which both Pakistan and the US were members.
The prime minister also stressed the need for a meaningful engagement with Afghanistan. —APP
