Prime Minister Sharif invites Indian Prime Minister to talks regarding the Kashmir dispute

Prime Minister Sharif invites Indian Prime Minister to talks regarding the Kashmir dispute
©Godwin Angeline Benjo/Unsplash, 2021

17-01-2023

Finia Hilmes

Pakistan & Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence

In an aim to resolve the Kashmir dispute, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold serious and sincere talks over the matter (APP& Web Desk, 2023).

Prime Minister Sharif mentioned the offer for talks during an interview with the Al Arabiya news channel (APP& Web Desk, 2023). Specifically, regarding the Kashmir issue, Sharif claimed that human rights violations were occurring every day in the illegally occupied territory under the watch of the Indian Prime Minister (APP& Web Desk, 2023). Furthermore, Sharif said that India had seized any semblance of the autonomy originally given to the Kashmiris (APP& Web Desk, 2023).

Moreover, Sharif claimed that minorities in India were being persecuted (APP& Web Desk, 2023). Further, the Pakistani Prime Minister emphasised the importance of peace between the two countries to alleviate poverty, achieve prosperity, and provide education, health facilities and employment to their people (APP& Web Desk, 2023).

Later, a Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson issued a clarification on Sharif’s invitation stating that the premier has repeatedly said talks with India were only possible after India reversed its illegal action of August 2019, in which it revoked Kashmir’s autonomy (APP& Web Desk, 2023). Finally, the Office spokesperson stated that the settlement of the Kashmir dispute must be in accordance with the UN resolutions and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir (APP& Web Desk, 2023).

Sources and further reading: 

 

APP & Web Desk. (2023, January 17). PM Shehbaz calls for constructive Pak-India dialogue to resolve issues. The News International. Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1031522-pm-shehbaz-seeks-to-resolve-kashmir-issue-via-sincere-talks-with-modi