LONDON, Jan 29 (APP):Pakistan’s new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Mohammad Nafees Zakaria Tuesday said Pakistan wanted to resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.
“Pakistan desires the solution of Kashmir dispute amicably and in accordance with the UN resolutions. We will provide moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir till realization of their birth right to self- determination”, he told the UK-based Pakistani media in a “meet and greet with the High Commissioner” here at Pakistan High Commission.
This was his first direct interaction with the UK based Pakistani journalists.
He said the Kashmir issue was on the top priority of the government, which was raising it at all national and international forums.
He strongly condemned India for gross violations of human rights and killings in Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK).
“Kashmiris are our brethren and also Muslims, ” he added.
Nafees Zikaria urged the Pakistani media to play their vital role in the promotion and projection of national objectives.
He said a high level delegation of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee would visit the United Kingdom during the current week. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi would lead the delegation while Chairman Senate’s Foreign Relation Committee Mushahid Hussain Syed and President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood
Khan would be its part.
He said the delegation would participate in the forthcoming Kashmir International Conference at the British Parliament London being organized in collaboration with the Kashmiri diaspora and British parliamentarians to highlight the Kashmir issue.
He said some 1.4 million diaspora of the United Kingdom was a source of strength for Pakistan who were playing an important role in the development of their motherland. Moreover, they were also playing a role in strengthening the bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, he added.
It would be his utmost effort to utilize the diaspora’s strength for the economic development of Pakistan, besides bolstering relations between the two countries, he added.
He said Allah Almighty had blessed Pakistan with enormous natural resources, including minerals, and it ranked in top seven countries in terms of the resources.
Nafees Zikaria said the expatriates would be invited to Pakistan for starting businesses and making investments there, which would not only benefit them , but also make their motherland prosper.
The British Pakistani professionals, including doctors, engineers , charter accountants and others experts would also be invited to support Pakistan their respective fields, he added.
The high commissioner on the occasion assured that their problems would be looked into and steps would be taken for their welfare.
“Pakistani diaspora is our strength and we will utilize their expertise and contribution for the economic
prosperity of Pakistan.”
He urged the Pakistani media to support him in achieving the objective.
Replying to a question, he said Pakistan was not isolated internationally as it was an important member of the United Nations. Out of 19 UN bodies, Pakistan was an important member of 17. Many head of governments and states, and other dignitaries had recently visited Pakistan, he added.
