Seeds of Peace Group Visits Embassy in Washington
Washington , DC: Jul 16: Pakistan desires to have peaceful relations with its neighbors and is very sincere in pursuing a peace process with India for the resolution of disputes and normalization of ties, a senior Pakistani diplomat said. “We want to become a hub of opportunity in the region and want to resolve all conflicts around us,” Deputy chief-de-mission Muhammad Aslam Khan told a group of young Pakistani, Indian and Afghan students who visited the Pakistani Embassy Wednesday.
The teenaged students visited the State Department and regional embassies at the conclusion of a three-week ‘Seeds of Peace’ conflict-resolution program in Maine.
Seeds of Peace is an international youth organization, founded in 1993, that works to bring together youth from conflict regions to discuss coexistence and conflict resolution and empowers young leaders with leadership skills.
Welcoming the group, Khan said Pakistan is witnessing a strengthening of the democratic system, striving to revive its economy and establishing partnerships in its neighborhood and beyond, with members of the international community.
“We want peace in our region, at the global level, we want to focus on reconstruction and raise the standard of life of our people. That is the thrust of the government’s policy,” he stated at the informal interaction.
The diplomat was hopeful that Pakistan and India would return to the negotiating table following high-level bilateral contacts in recent months.
The students asked a series of questions about the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the deputy ambassador provided them the needed perspective and Pakistan’s stand on the issue.
Responding to a question, Khan dispelled the impression of any cross-border movement into the Indian Held Kashmir. He said when such allegations are made, India should allow international organizations into Occupied Kashmir to ascertain their validity. The diplomat praised the Seeds of Peace program for providing the young students a platform to exchange views and develop understanding of conflicts that demand resolution for peace, security and development of all.
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