Nawaz Sharif addressing to the UN General Assembly
New York, USA: After a meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif the UN chief Ban Key Moon said that the world body was willing to play a role-if so asked-in resolving the Kashmir issue.
Later Nawaz Sharif, in his address to the UN General Assembly, invoked the issue of plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, expressing in the same breath his disappointment at New Delhi’s recent cancellation of foreign secretary-level talks between the two nations.
It is notable that a UN General Assembly resolution for plebiscite awaits implementation since 1948.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reportedly told some media sections that the world body was willing to mediate in the Kashmir issue “if so requested” by both concerned parties. Ban said that the “good offices” of the world body would be available for the purpose.
The Secretary General’s comment came soon after he met Sharif who promptly brought up the Kashmir issue all over again. It was widely expected that Nawaz Sharif would rake up the Kashmir issue during his General Assembly speech. And he did, true to form, putting Kashmir before Afghanistan and Gaza. “The core issue of Jammu and Kashmir has to be resolved,” Sharif said in address, declaring it to be a “responsibility of the international community”.
It is notable that India recently called off secretary level talks with Pakistan taking a plea that why Pak High commissioner in New Delhi was holding meetings with pro-independence Kashmiri leaders.