JOIN USPakistan on Sunday said it is dedicating its Independence Day to Kashmir’s “freedom” and will continue to extend full diplomatic, political and moral support to the people of the state.
The comments by Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit came during the country’s Independence Day celebrations at its embassy here on August 14.
India had on Saturday turned down Pakistan’s offer for a dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir seeking an end to the Pakistan-supported cross-border terrorism.
Basit’s comments came on a day when Pakistani forces violated the ceasefire along the LoC in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
“As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, we are dedicating this year’s Independence Day to the freedom of Kashmir. And we firmly believe that the sacrifices made by the people of Jammu and Kashmir will not go in vain. The ongoing unrest should end. Pakistan will continue to extend its full diplomatic, political and moral support to the valiant people of Jammu and Kashmir till they get their right to self-determination,” Basit said.
Basit said that no matter “how much” force is used, the political aspiration of the people of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be suppressed, and that the “freedom movement” will reach its logical conclusion.
In his address, Basit said that Pakistan has always strived for better relations with India on the basis of sovereign equality and peaceful resolution of bilateral disputes.