Pak army general rakes up Kashmir issue on a global platform again, issues 'destructive escalation' caution

Pakistan has again used an international platform to rake up the Kashmir issue, with a top general from the country seeking to publicise it at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Islamabad's military representative to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, said on June 1 that Kashmir remains the "core" of India-Pakistan animosity and requires international intervention, warning of "destructive escalation" if the issue is not addressed through dialogue or third-party mediation.

Gen Mirza, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, highlighted Kashmir as a "dispute" warranting international intervention during a session on "regional crisis management mechanisms," advocating for "conflict resolution aligned with Security Council resolutions" and suggesting potential third-party mediators including the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, China, Turkiye and UAE.


He accused India of having an "extremist mindset" and cautioned that it could be "too late to avert damage and destruction" if this continues, while also suggesting the possibility of rapid escalation in a nuclear-armed region.

Gen Mirza's remarks represented another attempt by Islamabad to internationalise the Kashmir issue, which Delhi insists is a bilateral matter.

India has consistently rejected Pakistan’s demand for international mediation, including by the United Nations, in the problem. India has also asked Islamabad to stop sponsoring terrorism in the region.