Imran Khan calls for dialogue to resolve Kashmir issue

By Sajjad Hussain

ISLAMABAD: India should move to resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said Monday.

His remarks came a day after six civilians were killed after an explosive went off at an encounter site in Kulgam district of South Kashmir.


"Strongly condemn the new cycle of killings of innocent Kashmiris....by Indian security forces," Khan tweeted.

"It is time India realise it must move to resolve the Kashmir dispute through dialogue in accordance with the UN SC resolutions & the wishes of the Kashmiri people," he said.

In a separate statement, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmmod Qureshi said the international community should take cognizance of the alleged human rights violations in Kashmir.

Three militants were killed Sunday in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam district, while six civilians lost their lives in a blast following the gunfight there.

It is not the first time Khan has spoken about Kashmir.

In September, New Delhi called off a meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan, citing killings of Indian security personnel by Pakistan-based entities and the release of Pakistani postage stamps "glorifying a terrorist and terrorism".

In his victory speech after the July elections, Khan expressed his willingness to improve Pakistan's ties with India and said that his government would like the leaders of the two sides to resolve all disputes, including the "core issue" of Kashmir, through talks.

He said good India-Pakistan relations will be beneficial for the entire region.

India maintains that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and Pakistan is in illegal occupation of a part of the state's territory.