Pakistan called for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, while pointing out that the United Nations Security Council recognised the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination.
"A resolution of the dispute over Jammu & Kashmir is central to the establishment of durable peace in South Asia," head of the Pakistani delegation Asim Iftikhar Ahmad told the UN General Assembly's Fourth Committee, which deals with decolonisation-related issues. "A peaceful solution will need to be acceptable to Pakistan, India, and above all, to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he added.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad also told the committee that Pakistan was engaged in a composite dialogue with India to address all outstanding differences, including the Jammu & Kashmir dispute. "We hope the recent meeting between President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Havana will help carry forward the peace process and lead to a resolution of all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir."
Regarding Western Sahara, he said Pakistan supported a peaceful settlement that would provide for self-determination. Recent events in the Middle East had shown that lasting peace could not be achieved in continued suppression of the legitimate right of self-determination of the Palestinian people.
While achievements on decolonisation had been made, progress in recent years had slowed, the Pakistan delegate said. Implementation was key, and required a co-ordinated response from the United Nations system and administering powers, he said. "We must therefore redouble our efforts for complete eradication of colonialism."
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