Kashmir Dispute: Status must not be charged unless resolved: Bozkir

ISLAMABAD: President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Volkan Bozkir, Thursday called for solution of Jammu and Kashmir issue through peaceful means as per the UN Charter and Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, saying it was Pakistan’s duty to bring the issue to the United Nations platform more strongly.

Speaking at a joint news conference along with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the visiting UNGA president said that both the issues of Palestine and Kashmir are of the same age, “but unfortunately, Palestine issue has more political will behind it than the Kashmir dispute.”

“I think, it is a duty, especially of Pakistan to bring this [Kashmir issue] to the United Nations platform more strongly,” he said, adding that the UN’s position on Jammu and Kashmir is governed by the UN charter and applicable Security Council’s resolutions.

He pointed out the Simla Agreement between Pakistan and India states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means in accordance with the UN charter.

“This is very important that we all must remember…all parties must refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir. This is very important part as to how we look into the case,” he asserted.

To a question if a special session likewise on Palestine could also be convened on Jammu and Kashmir during his presidency, he said that before convening a special session of the UNGA on Kashmir, there has to be a broader support from the member states, adding that a session on Kashmir can be convened only if he feels such a support.