Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that he was absolutely willing and ready to engage with India for regional peace and prosperity, however, the onus was on New Delhi to take the necessary measures for meaningful and result-oriented engagement.
Addressing the CICA Summit on Connectivity and Confidence Building Initiatives in Asia in Kazakhstan, PM Shehbaz said that peace will not be established in occupied Kashmir until Indian atrocities ended.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that it was a matter of pride to address the CICA Summit. He added that Pakistan acknowledged the great importance of the CICA platform and appreciated Kazakhstan’s leadership.
The premier regretted the issues that have kept the two neighbouring countries apart hindering bilateral trade and investment. He stressed that it had to stop but the onus for taking necessary steps for meaningful and result-oriented engagement remained on India.
PM Shehbaz further stated that Pakistan has desired peaceful relations with its neighbours including India. He stressed that people deserved resources to be diverted to their education and health.
Highlighting Indian atrocities in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), he said that due to the Indian bullet-over-ballot policy, the people of Kashmir had been facing a continued denial of their right to self-determination. He further stated that India had become a threat to its minorities, neighbours and the entire region.
Talking about the recent floods in Pakistan, the prime minister said that Pakistan was responsible for less than one percent of global warming, but due to floods, Pakistan has been suffering a lot as one-third of the country has been submerged.
He pointed out that the brunt of climate change was being borne by Pakistan. Thanking the countries that stepped forward for extended assistance, he said that Pakistan will come out of the flood disaster with the support of its people and friendly countries.
PM Shehbaz also spoke about Afghanistan. He said that the four decades-long conflict had not only taken a heavy toll on Afghanistan but Pakistan was also impacted. He said that Pakistan has suffered 80,000 casualties and financial losses worth billions of dollars due to the conflict.
He stated that a prosperous and stable Afghanistan was not only in favour of Pakistan but also for the international community.
Earlier, PM Shehbaz was warmly welcomed by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on his arrival at the Palace of Independence.
