KARACHI, July 4: Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali said on Friday that despite Pakistan’s peaceful overtures towards India, the Kashmir dispute continued to be a source of deep concern.

Addressing the 79th midshipmen’s commissioning parade at the Pakistan Naval Academy, Mr Jamali said Islamabad’s stand on Kashmir was based on principles, and noted that in recent years world attention had focussed on a peaceful settlement of the dispute.

“We will continue to work for the development of the inter-state relationship on the basis of sovereignty, equality, mutual respect, non-interference and peaceful settlement of disputes. Despite our peaceful overtures the Kashmir dispute still continues to be a source of deep concern,” said Mr Jamali.

He was hopeful that the world community would join hands to work out an amicable and durable solution of the dispute in accordance with UN resolutions and international norms. He referred to the perils if South Asia remained embroiled in tension, and said Pakistan was committed to regional and global peace and security in conformity with the UN Charter.

Mr Jamali said his government was fully cognizant of the need to have “an effective and hard-hitting naval force” capable of safeguarding Pakistan’s national interests at sea. He said negotiations for procurement and indigenous construction of four modern frigates from China were in an advanced stage.

The induction of these frigates, coupled with the newly acquired Agosta 90-B submarines, would give the Pakistan Navy a qualitative edge and increase its reach at sea, the premier added.

Midshipman Imran Khan was awarded the Sword of Honour. The Quaid-i-Azam gold medal went to S/Lt Usman Shafiq while CNS gold medal was won by cadet Ahmad Al Astal of Palestine.

Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad Khan and Sindh chief minister Sardar Ali Muhammad Mahar, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Shahid Karimullah, Chief of the Air Staff and senior military officials and military attaches and diplomats of various countries were present on the occasion. They were welcomed by the commandant of the Pakistan Naval Academy PNS Rahbar.