NEW DELHI, Sept 16: There is a need to start a sustained dialogue at the earliest to seek the resolution of the Kashmir issue, which is acceptable to all — India, Pakistan, and the Kashmiris, says Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Aziz Ahmad Khan.

He said this while talking to an Indian television channel ‘Aajtek’ here on Tuesday.

Describing Kashmir as being the core issue, Aziz Khan said that the dispute had been vitiating Indo-Pak relations for over half a century. Other irritants and misperceptions, he said, were related to the basic issue and revolved around it.

Referring to the Indian allegations of cross-border infiltration, the High Commissioner said that Pakistan had taken every possible step to stop the occurrence of the menace, however, India continued to level allegations in this regard.

Terming the Indian allegations baseless and unfounded, the High Commissioner stated that Pakistan could not allow the menace to flourish on its soil and had given a commitment to the international community in its fight against terrorism.

Pakistan, he said, proposed deployment of international observers to monitor the situation regarding cross-border infiltration at the Line of Control, but India did not endorse it.

Referring to improvement in the diplomatic situation after the peace initiatives, the High Commissioner said Pakistan repeatedly stressed upon restoring the strength at the respective high commissions and resumption of rail links, but these problems continued to be unresolved.

“This should have been done yesterday instead of tomorrow”, he pointed out, adding that the “sooner this is done, the better it is”. Aziz Khan said the actual peace process between the two countries had not started so far (despite the lapse of five months).

Regarding the Track-II diplomacy, the High Commissioner observed it had been playing a major role in promoting understanding among the people. But now the problems should be taken up and resolved at the official level by the (Pakistani and Indian) governments, while the people should extend their support to the process, he observed.—APP