Kashmiris are stakeholders in peace process: PAK envoy (LEAD)

“Kashmiris are stakeholders in the peace process. We are committed to resolve the Kashmir issue peacefully…Hope India will spare no efforts for peace,” Basit told media persons in New Delhi addressing an interactive session at the foreign correspondent’s club.

He said both India and Pakistan have agreed that Jammu and Kashmir is a bilateral dispute. “Both the countries must work together with mutual respect,” he said.

Basit said meeting the Hurriyat and Kashmir leaders is nothing new as they are doing it for years and years and years, but Pakistan is always committed to a peaceful solution.

He said it was done to engage all stakeholders to find a viable solution since the issue should be seen dispassionately.  "Just solution is our aim. Look at it dispassionately. That is our aim," he said.

After India cancelled talks with Pakistan at the foreign secretary level over the involvement of Kashmir separatist leaders, Basit said his country is committed to peace and normal relations with India and would not let the efforts go waste.

“Pakistan wants a normal relation with India. We are continuously working towards that…We need to promote peace in South Asia... It is time for both the countries to move from confrontation to cooperation,” said the Pakistani envoy.

He said the problems between both the neighbouring nations can only be resolved through dialogue. “Pakistan has also lost $1 billion in terror...Pakistan’s stability linked with Afghanistan’s peace,” he said, adding both the neighbouring nations should work together to fight poverty.

“Pakistan stands by its commitment, stands by the vision articulated by it, we attach a lot of importance to have a normal relation with India,” he said.

Basit said if Pakistan and India can work together sky would be the limit. “Time has come that we need to move forward,” he said.

“We should engage in a comprehensive and meaningful dialogue process,” he said, adding that “since our PM met in Delhi we have come a long way in business and economic cooperation.”

He said “we are moving in the positive track and this positivity will be sustained.”
“Pakistan is moving ahead with sincerity of purpose and we should not lose hope,” he said.

On so many things the two countries see eye to eye, he said, adding that if SAARC is vitalized there would be betterment.

“We are very optimistic and would not allow this process to be distracted. There is no reason to lose hope on bilateral relations.” he said.

He said Pakistan will pursue solutions and the setback from the cancellation of talks will not detract them.

The Narendra Modi government in New Delhi called off talks with Pakistan scheduled in Islamabad on Aug 25 between the two foreign secretaries after Pakistan envoy invited and met the separatist leaders of Kashmir in New Delhi.