A five member US delegation led by Senator John
McCain held a series of meetings with Pakistani
leadership in the capital during which US side was asked
to play its role for ending the sufferings of the Kashmiri
people. According to report, Pakistani side explicitly
discussed its reservations and concerns on various
different matters with the US side and hoped that efforts
would be made to address them. During interaction with
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistani side
expressed serious concerns over the gross human rights
violations and brutal repression of unarmed Kashmiris.
The Prime Minister underscored the legitimacy of the
Kashmir cause and urged the world community especially
Washington to play its role in ending the sufferings of the
people in occupied Kashmir. Nawaz Sharif also noted that
as longstanding partners and strategic allies, a sustained
and strong Pak-US partnership was essential to deal with
various challenges confronting the region and beyond.
The Prime Minister apprised the US delegation of his
government’s efforts over the last four years to combat
terrorism and that its success could be measured by the
markedly improved security situation in Pakistan. He also
highlighted the economic turnaround that manifested in
enhanced investor interest and confidence in the country.
Nawaz Sharif underscored his government’s commitment
to good neighbourly relations and highlighted various
initiatives to improve relations with Afghanistan and
India. On Afghanistan, the Prime Minister reaffirmed
Pakistan’s commitment to support all efforts aimed at
lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan. He said that
concerted efforts are needed for a politically negotiated
settlement under an Afghan led and Afghan owned peace process. The Prime Minister said a strong partnership
between Pakistan and the US is vital for achieving
sustainable peace in Afghanistan. In this regard, he also
stressed the importance of the Quadrilateral Coordination
Group mechanism to facilitate Afghan reconciliation.
Senator McCain agreed that continued close cooperation
between the US and Pakistan is essential for securing
peace and stability in the region. He said the US attaches
importance to its relations with Pakistan. The Senators appreciated the contributions and sacrifices made by
Pakistan and the successes achieved in the fight against
terrorism. They appreciated the economic turnaround in
Pakistan and stressed the importance of intensifying mutually beneficial trade and investment cooperation.
Senator John McCain made it clear that there will be no
change in the US policy on the lingering Kashmir dispute.
It is quite regrettable that the US has not made any serious
efforts towards resolution of the Kashmir dispute. United
States should see beyond its vested interests and should
take the severe human rights violation in occupied
Kashmir by Indian occupation forces seriously. US
rubbed salt on the wounds of Kashmiris by declaring
veteran freedom fighters Syed Salahuddin a terrorist and
tried to equate Kashmir liberation movement with
terrorism to please India. Being world superpower United
States should play its due role in resolving Kashimir issue
because without resolution of this issue peace and
stability in South Asia cannot be achieved.
