United Nations: Pakistan has again raked up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at the UN, telling a global conference of parliamentarians here that it is time for a plebiscite under the world body for the Kashmiri people.
"Outstanding disputes continue to fester in the region preventing it from realising its tremendous economic and social potential. Foremost among these disputes is the issue of Jammu and Kashmir," Acting Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Murtaza Javed Abbasi said at the Fourth World Conference of Speakers here yesterday.
He said Kashmir is an "internationally recognised" disputed territory, underwritten by several United Nations resolutions.
"The Kashmiri people have waited for too long for their just and inalienable right to self-determination.
"Peace in South Asia is an imperative --- not only for the people of that region but also for the citizens of a globalised world.
"It is time to enable them to exercise these rights through an independent and impartial plebiscite under the United Nations, paving the way for a sustainable peace and development," he added.
Abbasi also said that progress can never be achieved in the absence of peace and conducive environment and conditions of peace and security are organically linked to economic and social development.
"Peace can hardly be promoted in a development vacuum and there can be no durable peace without growth and development," he said.
He also talked about Pakistan braving the onslaught of global terrorism for almost two decades.
"We are determined to root out this menace. However, the world must address the root-causes of terrorism," he said.
"South Asia is among the most environmentally vulnerable regions of the world. In order to address this challenge, it is equally important to address the political climate in South Asia," he said.
Last month also Pakistan had raised the Kashmir issue at the UN Security Council, seeking mediation from the world body and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to resolve the issue.
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