DAVOS: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that Pakistan extends full political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir who are striving for their right of self-determination.
He was talking to Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Lofven at the Congress Centre of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
The Prime Minister shared with his Swedish counterpart the gruesome human rights violations in the Indian Jammu and Kashmir and urged a greater role of international community in this regard. He also pointed to the UN resolutions in this regard that calls for a plebiscite.
The Swedish Prime Minister shared Pakistan’s concerns over the situation in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He said, “Sweden is keen to further strengthen and broaden ties with Pakistan, in all spheres.”
He said his government was already working closely with Pakistan in many areas and would like to work closely with its people and the Government. He hoped greater interaction between the two countries would be mutually beneficial for both the countries.
The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to further boost their ties.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also held a meeting with Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on the sidelines of WEF.
During his meeting, the Prime Minister stated that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Sri Lanka, which are most cordial and friendly. “These ties have grown from strength to strength over the last six decades,” he said. He said, “It is Pakistan’s ardent desire to promote peace and cooperation in South Asia.”
“Security and stability are pre-requisites for fighting poverty and promoting economic growth and development,” he said.
The PM reiterated that, “Pakistan considers Sri Lanka to be a key partner in this regard.”
“It is Pakistan’s desire to promote good relations with the countries of our region, so that our people may benefit from the fruits of regional integration,” he said.
The PM added that, “Pakistan attaches great importance to SAARC and is fully committed to the principles and objectives of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Charter.”
“Pakistan wishes to see SAARC as a vibrant regional organization,” the PM said.
“Pakistan believes that SAARC cannot be replaced by Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC),” he asserted.
“Pakistan desires to resolve all outstanding issues with India, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, through comprehensive dialogue,” he added.
He stressed that, “Indian forces are perpetrating atrocities in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir on innocent Kashmiri people, who are demanding their right to self determination.”
“Indian forces have resorted to escalating tension on line of control (LoC) only to distract the world attention away from their grave Human Rights violations, in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” the Prime Minister said.
The Sri Lankan PM conveyed best wishes of the people of his country for the people of Pakistan saying, “We want more cooperation in trade and defence.”
“Pakistan and Sri Lanka should strive more to enhance trade between both countries,” Ranil Wickremesinghe said. NNI