Political committee being formulated on national interests, Kashmir dispute: FM –Reaffirms Pakistan’s unflinching support to Kashmiris

ISLAMABAD : Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that a political committee is being constituted to formulate a joint way forward on critical issues of national interests including the outstanding Kashmir dispute. Responding to the points of PML-N leader Khawaja Asif in the National Assembly Tuesday, the Foreign Minister said the PML-N, PPP, JUI (F) and Awami National Party are invited to become part of this process. The Foreign Minister said Pakistan has a unanimous stance on the Kashmir dispute. He said we have rejected India’s 5th August illegal steps in the Occupied Territory as these are contrary to UN Charter and International laws. Shah Mahmood Qureshi clarified that Pakistan is part of the group which opposes the permanent membership of India in the UN Security Council. He, however, said non-permanent seat in the Security Council is given on rotational basis and Pakistan also remained the world body’s non-permanent member in the past. The Foreign Minister also strongly rejected the statements attributed to him and the Prime Minister about the recognition of Israel. He said there is no truth in them. He said Pakistan has a historic stance on the issue and supports a two state solution with Al-Quds Al-sharif as the Capital of Palestinian state. The house is now continuing discussion on the budget for next fiscal year. National Assembly resumed its session at the parliament house in Islamabad today with Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri in the chair. On the points of PML (N) leader Khawaja Asif, the chair said Pakistan has not and will never accept Israel which is occupying the land of Palestinians. He said our hearts beat with the oppressed Palestinian people. Minister for Communications Murad Saeed said the Kashmir dispute stands internationalized as a result of the efforts of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said the way Imran Khan has pleaded the case of Kashmiris at the international level is unprecedented.  He pointed out that it was after a passage of fifty years that the UN Security Council held discussions on the Kashmir dispute twice a year. He said the Prime Minister has also forcefully raised the issues of Muslim Ummah at the world forums. The house is now continuing discussion on the budget for next fiscal year.