'Back channel diplomacy' underway with India on Kashmir: Pak

LAHORE: Pakistan has said that "back channel diplomacy" is being conducted with India to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"Back channel diplomacy with India is underway to resolve the Kashmir issue. However, we are stressing India should hold tripartite talks (with Pakistan and the Kashmiris). The Kashmiris must be involved in parleys for a peaceful solution to the conflict," Pakistan's Kashmir Affairs Minister Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo said.

Wattoo did not give details of the back channel contacts. Recent media reports in Pakistan have suggested that former Foreign Secretary Riaz Khan has been holding talks with ex-Indian envoy S K Lambah as part of the back channel contacts.

At the same time, Wattoo said that the Kashmir issue should be resolved under existing UN resolutions.

Alleging that "human rights violations are on the rise" in Kashmir, he said "the world powers should play their role in resolving the issue."