NATO asked to play role for resolution of Kashmir dispute

ISLAMABAD, Feb 3 (APP): Pakistani parliamentarians have urged the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to play its role in resolution of decades longs Kashmir dispute according to the aspiration of Kashmiri people and United Nations resolutions. A delegation of Senators and members of the National Assembly representing the main political parties across the entire political spectrum in Pakistan has recently visited NATO headquarters in Brussels.

The delegation met with NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen and discussed Kashmir dispute, Dr. Aafia Saddiqui case and other political issues, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior Talha Mehmood told a press conference here on Wednesday.

According to him it was the first Pakistani parliamentarians delegation who visited NATO headquarters.

He said the delegation emphasized upon the NATO supreme command to play their important role in resolution of Kashmir dispute for durable peace and development in the region.

The delegation informed the NATO about the losses suffered by Pakistan and its people in the international war against terror.

“We told them that Pakistan’s economy has badly suffered due to terrorism, we don’t need loans rather we want business and access to European Union markets for revival of our economy.”

He further said the delegation lodged protest against the drone attacks which resulted in loss of precious innocent lives.

The NATO supreme command was told that peace and development in Pakistan is important for peace development in Afghanistan and the region as well.

Talha said the delegation conveyed great concern of Pakistani people regarding Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, and told them the US should unconditionally release her.

The Senator said that he also met a delegation of UK parliamentarians regarding the release of Dr. Aafia, who assured him their support in this regard.

According to NATO release, during the discussion, the NATO Secretary General and the visiting parliamentarians agreed that NATO Allies and Pakistan share common threats and common interests.

The Secretary General commended the efforts of the democratically elected Pakistani government in fighting extremism within its own borders, as well as the Pakistan-Afghanistan-ISAF military cooperation through the Tripartite Commission.

Both the NATO Secretary General and the parliamentarians agreed that terrorism and extremism represent the main threat to the stability of the region.

They agreed that we need a regional approach to tackle this threat effectively and that Pakistan must be part of the solution.