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We call for an end to violence in Kashmir. Boris Johnson

189 views · Published 24 November 2016 · 1:23 · Indexed 1 November 2026

Channel: Neo News · 2016 · News & Politics

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Addressing a joint press conference alongside Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Johnson said the UK country calls for an end to violence in Kashmir but added at the same time that it was not for his country to "prescribe a solution or act as a mediator" in the conflict of the disputed region.

"The longstanding position of the UK is that is it for India and Pakistan to find a lasting solution to the situation in Kashmir taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people."

"Of course we are concerned about recent incidents on both sides of the Line of Control in Kashmir and we call for an end to the violence," he said, urging Pakistan and India to exercise restraint and maintain a dialogue.

"Look at the incredible human potential of Pakistan and its neighbours, and then imagine what the future could be like if this was sorted out."

He said the "mutual sequestration" of the India-Pakistan economies was holding back the region from becoming a "boom zone".

Aziz said Pakistan appreciates Britain's assistance in key areas specially education and health sectors.

He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has invited British PM Theresa May to visit Pakistan in 2017 and "we eagerly look foward to this visit".

'We could do so much better'
The British foreign secretary said it is vital to encourage trade and commercial-economic interpenetration between UK and Pakistan.

"Consider the size of the Pakistan economy...look at the size of the UK economy. We could do so much better than 2.5 billion pounds a year of bilateral trade."

"We have agreed to launch a programme of business engagement focusing not just on enhanced strategic dialogue, but also on the opportunities presented by celebrations of Pakistan's 70th anniversary next year," he said.

'Want to consolidate rock solid Pak-UK friendship'
Johnson earlier met Aziz at the Foreign Office (FO) to discuss bilateral ties between Pakistan and the UK, FO Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said on Twitter.

During the meeting, Johnson said he is excited to be in Pakistan and wants to "further consolidate rock solid friendship between our two countries".

He said he wants to concentrate on boosting trade and investment between UK and Pakistan and build the confidence of British investors in Pakistani market.K appreciates Pakistan's extraordinary economic potential and exuberant youth population," Zakaria quoted the foreign secretary as saying.

Johnson said his country acknowledges "Pakistan's sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and fully understand[s] the situation".

Senior FO officials received the British official on his arrival to Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported.

Johnson is expected to meet President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his visit.

He also met the staff of British High Commission in Pakistan during his maiden visit.

'Pakistan wants serious, sustained dialogue with India,' says Nawaz
Boris Johnson also called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at Prime Minister's Office today.

Welcoming the Secretary on his first visit to Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz expressed his concern "at the recent developments in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the gross human rights violations by Indian security forces."

"Pakistan wants a serious, sustained and result-oriented dialogue with India on all issues of mutual concern ─ the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the main threat to security in the region," Nawaz said, adding that recent escalation in ceasefire violations by Indian security forces along the LoC are an attempt at diverting the world's attention away from the situation in held Kashmir.

He urged the international community in general,and the UK in particular to "take notice of the gravity of the situation and call on India to respect human rights of the people of Kashmir and implement the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir."

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