Shah Mahmood Qureshi asserts Kashmir to remain 'cornerstone' of Pakistan's foreign policy, says dispute over Valley must end for stability in South Asia

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday said the Kashmir issue would continue to remain the “cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy”.

Chairing a meeting in Islamabad with the leaders from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as a follow-up to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s address to the PoK’s Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad on 5 February, Qureshi said that a lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute was essential for durable peace and stability in South Asia region.

“Kashmir would continue to remain the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy,” Qureshi was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry (FO).

During the meeting, which was also attended by PoK leader Raja Farooq Haider Khan, the participants called for the complete removal of lockdown on communication and media in the Valley.

India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution on 5 August, 2019 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

It has categorically told the international community that its move to scrap Article 370 was an internal matter and has also advised Pakistan to accept the reality.