KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
The British National Security Advisor (NSA), Sir Mark Lyall Grant called on the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad on Sunday.
During the meeting, a statement issued by Pakistan Foreign Office said, regional security issues and matters of mutual interest were also discussed.
The Special Assistant to Sharif briefed the Britain NSA about the current situation in Kashmir.
“He (Fatemi) also stressed that as a country with historic links to this region, and as a member-state of UN Security Councils P-5, it was incumbent on Britain to urge India to end its human rights violations in Kashmir,” the FO statement said.
He asked United Kingdom to urge Indian to enter into a sustained dialogue process with Pakistan, “so as to enable the two countries to peacefully resolve their differences”.
“Sir Mark Lyall Grant acknowledged the important role being played by Pakistan in promoting peace and stability in the region,” the statement said, the Minister of State also briefed the visiting dignitary about Pakistan’s serious efforts to promote lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, including the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led reconciliation process through the Quadrilateral Coordination Group.”
Sir Mark Lyall Grant acknowledged the significant achievements made by Pakistan and the sacrifices rendered by the people of Pakistan in their fight against terrorism. He reaffirmed the UK’s continued support to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry has deplored the human rights violations in Kashmir.
She also said that the use of pellet guns by the Indian forces was unacceptable.
Thornberry expressed her concern in a meeting with PM’s special envoys on Kashmir Senator Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qayyum and MNA Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh at the British Parliament, Paikstan’s Official news agency – APP, reported.
The two envoys briefed the shadow foreign secretary on the gross human rights violations in Kashmir. They reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to resolve the issue peacefully. They also urged Thornberry to raise the issue in the House of Commons.
The envoys appealed the UK government to send a fact finding mission of British parliamentarians to the restive Valley.
“Thornberry said the only solution to the conflict was through peaceful dialogue, keeping in view the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. She also praised the role of the Kashmiri diaspora for highlighting the just cause of Kashmir in UK,” the wire news agency added.
