New York: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed the country’s desire to achieve peace with India at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Along with this, he also raised the issue of Kashmir. He said that India has stood by its long-standing stand on Kashmir and that the entire Union Territory is an integral part of India.
Addressing the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, Shahbaz Sharif said, “India must take credible steps to create an environment conducive to constructive engagement. We are neighbors and are forever, the choice is ours whether to live in peace or fight with each other.”
Sharif said, “Since 1947 we have fought three wars and as a result, only misery, poverty, and unemployment have increased on both sides. Now it is up to us to resolve our differences, our problems, and our issues through peaceful dialogue and discussion.”
The Pakistani PM said, “I think the time has come for India to understand the message that both the countries are connected to each other. War is not an option, only peaceful dialogue can resolve the issues so that the world becomes more peaceful in the times to come.”
At the same time, on the Kashmir issue, Shahbaz Sharif said, “We want peace with all our neighbors including India. Permanent peace and stability in South Asia, however, depend on an equitable and permanent settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Shahbaz Sharif also elaborated on the situation in Pakistan amid the devastating floods in the country. He said that “More than 1500 people including more than 400 children have left this world in the floods. Even more, are at risk of disease and malnutrition. As we speak, millions of climate migrants are still looking for dry land to set up their tents.
