Desk: On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for resolving the Kashmir issue and other disputes with India through dialogue during a program in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He stated, “We want the resolution of Kashmir and all other issues through talks.” Sharif urged India to move beyond the mindset of August 5, 2019, fulfill its commitments made to the United Nations, and initiate dialogue.
Shehbaz Sharif, speaking at the special session of the PoK assembly, made this statement on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, which Pakistan observes annually to show support and sympathy for Kashmiris. He said, “The only solution to the Kashmir issue is granting the right of self-determination to Kashmiris under the UNSC resolution.”
During the event, both Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appealed to the international community to put pressure on India regarding the Kashmir issue. Meanwhile, the “Prime Minister” of PoK, Anwarul Haq, stated that the ultimate destination for Kashmiris is Pakistan and emphasized that lasting peace in the region is not possible until the Kashmir issue is resolved.
Referring to the Lahore Agreement, Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that the only way forward for both Pakistan and India is through dialogue. The Lahore Agreement of 1999 was signed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Shehbaz Sharif, and it emphasized maintaining peace and security, as well as increasing people-to-people connect, with a mention of the Kashmir issue.