ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office said on Wednesday Pakistan wants resumption of dialogue with India to resolve outstanding issues between the two countries, including the Kashmir dispute.

At his weekly briefing, Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said Kashmir was the core issue between the two countries and negotiations were the only way to resolve it, adding that Kashmiri leadership should also be allowed to take part in talks.

“The ongoing repression of Indian security forces in held Kashmir is a matter of grave concern for Pakistan. Several prestigious human rights organisations have also raised voice against human rights violations in occupied Kashmir,” he said.

In reply to a question about Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan’s new chief Mullah Fazlullah, he said Pakistan had repeatedly urged Afghanistan not to allow its territory to be used for activities against Pakistan. He expressed the hope that Afghanistan would take steps in this regard.

He said a visit by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Kabul was on the cards but dates had not yet been fixed. About the whereabouts of Mullah Bradar, the spokesman said he was in Pakistan and could contact his family. “He has been freed to advance the Afghan peace and reconciliation process. Pakistan will continue to play a positive role in this regard.”

Answering a question about the recent US drone attack in North Waziristan, he said protest over it had been conveyed to the US through its ambassador to Pakistan.—APP