India, Pak should resolve Kashmir issue through talks: Gilani

Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Aug 14 (PTI) India should "seriously" take
forward the dialogue process with Pakistan to resolve the
Kashmir issue which is the "biggest problem" between the two
countries, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said
Saturday.
"We want to resolve all problems with India through
talks. The biggest problem between Pakistan and India is the
problem of Jammu and Kashmir," Gilani said in a televised
address to the nation on the occasion of Pakistan's
Independence Day.
Gilani said dialogue is the "only way forward" for
Pakistan and India to resolve their outstanding problems and
to usher in peace and stability in South Asia.
"In pursuance of our objective of a peaceful and stable
neighbourhood and for resolving outstanding disputes with
India, we firmly believe that dialogue is the only way
forward," he said.
Pakistan will continue advocating a strategic restraint
regime for lasting peace and stability in South Asia, he said.
Gilani asked India to stop, what he alleged, "human
rights excesses" in Kashmir.
India should "seriously take forward the talks process to
solve this important issue," he said as he outlined the
contours of Pakistan's foreign policy.
At the same time, Gilani made it clear that Pakistan has
"legitimate stakes" in Afghanistan and efforts to achieve
peace in that war-torn country.
"Pakistan and Afghanistan face a common set of challenges
and we have a legitimate stakes in Afghanistan's peace,
stability and development. We will continue to support an
Afghan-led process of reconciliation and reintegration," he
said.
Elaborating on the country's foreign policy, Gilani said
its central point is the protection and promotion of
Pakistan's interests at the regional and global levels.
A democratic Pakistan is playing its rightful role at all
international fora and in efforts for world peace, he said.
Gilani also described Pakistan's "all-weather friendship"
with China as the cornerstone of the foreign policy.
Intensive leadership-level engagements have yielded
"positive results" and Pakistan deeply appreciates the Chinese
assistance for economic development and security, he said.
Pakistan also gives "great importance" to its ties with
the US and both countries are conducting a strategic dialogue
to boost bilateral relations, he said. PTI