Pakistan rakes up Kashmir at UN, offers peace formula

United Nations: Speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif spun a four point peace formula to “resolve” the Kashmir issue and lavished praise on China for its “proactive role in promoting peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and the region”. “Wisdom dictates that our immediate neighbour refrains from fomenting instability in Pakistan,” Sharif said. [caption id=“attachment_2451092” align=“alignleft” width=“300”]  Nawaz Sharif addresses the United Nations General Assembly/ AP Photo[/caption] Sharif, in his address, targeted India at several places, including its bid for a permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council. He also praised China’s “One Belt One Road” initiative, and said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will spur economic development in the region. India has opposed the multi-billion economic corridor financed by China, since it crosses Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Sharif proposed “a new peace initiative with India starting with measures that are the simplest to implement”. Sharif called for the demilitarization of the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir, and for both countries to respect a 2003 cease-fire on the de facto frontier where there has been an increase in cross-border firing. Sharif also called for an unconditional withdrawal of forces from the Siachen Glacier, often dubbed the world’s highest battlefield, where the two militaries have been arrayed against each other for years for control of an uninhabited expanse of ice. The hostility between Pakistan and India dates back seven decades, and the nuclear-armed rivals have fought three wars. The hostilities have been punctuated by periodic attempts at peace talks but they’ve failed to make a breakthrough on the core issues that divide them, such as the Kashmir dispute and Indian concerns about attacks by Pakistan-based militants. India also wants Pakistan to bring to justice suspects in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. Forces on both sides have frequently exchanged fire in Kashmir in recent months, causing multiple civilian and military deaths. “The two countries should address and resolve the causes of tension and take all possible measures to avert further escalation,” Sharif said. India’s foreign minister is due to address the General Assembly on Thursday. AGENCIES