Summary India has violated the Line of Control (LoC) ceasefire 57 times, the ambassador said.
NEW DELHI (Web Desk) - Addressing the Indian media in New Delhi on Wednesday, Pakistan s ambassador to India Abdul Basir said that dialogue is the only way to find a lasting peace.
"Our priority is to promote peace and regional security," he said. "Time has come for the two countries to move from confrontation to cooperation. We must engage with a comprehensive and meaningful dialogue, time has come to move forward," Basit urged.
On the issue of repeated ceasefire violations by the Indian Army, Abdul Basit said, "I would like to tell you that India has violated the ceasefire 57 times. So yes we need to resolve it."
On the Kashmir issue, Basit said, "Kashmir is a dispute which needs to be resolved peacefully, since both countries committed to resolving it."
"We need to look at these Kashmir issues dispassionately and in a more realistic manner," he urged.
However, defending Pakistan s meeting with Kashmiri separatist leaders, he said that it has been a long standing practice to engage with stakeholders. "Kashmiris are legitimate stakeholders in finding a peaceful solution to the issue."
He also stated that Indian diplomats too engage in talks with Baloch leaders.
On the cancellation of foreign secretary talks, he expressed regret. "Though its a setback that foreign secretary talks were called off, but it should not discourage us. Wave to take the peace process forward."
On the issue of terrorism and militancy, he said, "We too have lost 15,000 people to terrorism. We have resolved to cleanse our land from all militants within 8-10 weeks."
"Pakistan Army operations are underway in Waziristan," he informed.
