ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday asked the United Kingdom to play its role in ensuring the resumption of stalled talks with India, as well as helping stop the killings in held Kashmir.

“As a country with historic links to this region and as a member-state of the UN Security Council’s [five permanent members], it was incumbent on Britain to urge India to end its human rights violations in the occupied territory and to enter into a sustained dialogue with Pakistan so as to enable the two countries to peacefully resolve their differences,” Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi told British National Security Adviser Sir Mark Lyall Grant.

Top British official briefed on Indian ceasefire violations

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, regional security issues and matters of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting. The special assistant briefed the British official on the current situation in India-held Kashmir.

Sir Grant acknowledged the important role being played by Pakistan in promoting peace and stability in the region.

Mr Fatemi also briefed the visiting official on Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan, including the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led reconciliation process being conducted through the Quadrilateral Coordination Group.

The special assistant underscored the importance Pakistan attached to its relations with the UK and noted that the partnership between the two countries was moving in the right direction.

In this context, he recalled the recent warm and cordial meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his UK counterpart Theresa May in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session. Mr Fatemi also highlighted the improving security situation and its positive impact on economic revival in Pakistan.

Sir Grant acknowledged the successes made by Pakistan and the sacrifices rendered by its people in the fight against terrorism. He reaffirmed the UK’s continued support for Pakistan.

Sources said that Sir Grant was also briefed on the continuing ceasefire violations by India along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary and was told that two women and two children were injured in a recent incident of cross-border shelling.

Published in Dawn October 24th, 2016