Pakistan on Thursday expressed hope that its ties with India will improve in the near future and the "primary" issue of Kashmir will be resolved amicably.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark Pakistan Day at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Thursday, Pakistan's top envoy in India, Abdul Basit, said Pakistan has always tried to maintain cordial relations with all of its neighbours, including India.

"We hope that our relations will improve," he said, expressing optimism that roadblocks in Indo-Pak ties will be eliminated.

"We will resolve all of our issues peacefully, especially the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, which is the primary issue for Pakistan-India [ties]... we will resolve it according to the will of the Kashmiri people."

The high commissioner said Pakistan is certain that the freedom struggle of the Kashmiri people will eventually succeed.

"History is witness [to the fact] that freedom movements can be suppressed temporarily but they cannot be quashed permanently," he said.

On the occasion of Pakistan's Republic Day, he said March 23 required its citizens to affirm their pledge to not hesitate in giving any sacrifice for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

Basit said last week that apart from terrorism, other issues like Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek had also impacted Pakistan's ties with India. These are the core issues required to be dealt with simultaneously, he had said at the time.

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...