ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Mohammad Barjees Tahir on Saturday linked India’s participation in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

Speaking at a press conference held on the eve of the Kashmir Solidarity Day, Mr Tahir said: “India should resolve Kashmir issue in the light of the United Nations resolutions if it wants to join CPEC.”

He said that Pakistan wanted to resolve all outstanding issues with India, including Kashmir, through negotiations but New Delhi was trying to fabricate facts and hiding the brutalities of its forces in held Kashmir.

The minister said that despite use of brute force India had failed to suppress the Kashmiri freedom movement.

“Pakistan has always supported Kashmiris in their justified stance and their demand for right to self-determination and will continue to do so,” he said. “We will continue to support Kashmiris on moral grounds on the political as well as diplomatic fronts.”

He announced that the Kashmir Solidarity Day would be observed at all Pakistani missions abroad to highlight the suffering of the people of India-held Kashmir.

The Kashmiri people, he said, were waiting for implementation of the relevant UN resolutions. The international community should come forward to play its role for the enforcement of UN resolutions. He praised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for highlighting Indian atrocities in held Kashmir at many international forums, including the UN General Assembly.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2017