Washington, Mar 24: Pakistan Wednesday asked the US to “constructively engage” in the process of peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue with India.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also sought “non-discriminatory” access to energy, an apparent reference to nuclear cooperation that Pakistan is seeking with US on the lines of the Indo-US nuclear deal.
“Pakistan seeks peaceful resolution to all issues in South Asia, including Kashmir. We hope the US will maintain its constructive engagement to encourage this (resolution) process,” Qureshi said in his remarks at the start of the Strategic Dialogue with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Qureshi sought to underline the importance of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and extremism as he pitched for enhanced partnership with the US in a whole range of issues, including energy.
Earlier, Clinton said the US would help Pakistan in all issues, including meeting urgent energy needs.
GKNN adds from Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Wednesday appreciated OIC’s support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir “for the realization of their right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions.”
Talking to Prof Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), who called on him at the PM house here, Gilani welcomed the appointment of Ambassador Abdullah Al-Aleem as OIC Secretary General’s Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan looks forward to the proposed visit of the Special Representative to Pakistan and the region to gain first hand knowledge of the “atrocities being committed against Kashmiris and for highlighting their cause at international fora.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik, has said that Islamabad wants meaningful and resulted-oriented dialogue with India.
Talking to newsmen at Pakistan Day reception here Tuesday night, Malik said unfortunately the recent Pak-India secretary-level talks could not progress substantially. “Pakistan had given a road map of talks to India and hoped meaningful dialogue would be held to resolve outstanding issues between the neighbouring countries,” he said.
To a question on Kashmir, he said Kashmir was a core issue and Pakistan could not ignore it and wanted its resolution according to aspirations of Kashmiris.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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