Aug 19 , 2015
News
UN chief asks Pakistan, India to exercise maximum restraint
Ban hopes Sartaj-Doval talks to result in a positive outcome
NEW YORK – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has asked Pakistan and India to exercise maximum restraint in the wake of increased tensions along the Line of Control in the disputed state of Jammu Kashmir.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, he hoped that talks between National Security and Foreign Affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz and India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval would result in a positive outcome. “The secretary-general calls upon Pakistan and India to exercise maximum restraint and take all feasible steps to ensure protection of civilians,” he said.
Ban reiterated his call for both nations to address their differences through dialogue. Welcoming the upcoming adviser-level talks between the two countries, the UN chief expressed hope that the meeting would lead to a positive result. "The secretary-general urges both countries to continue to address their differences through dialogue,” the spokesperson quoted him.
In that regard, Ban welcomes the planned meeting between their respective advisers on August 23-24, and expresses the hope that it would lead to positive outcomes. The UN chief also expressed serious concern about the recent escalation of violence along the Line of Control that resulted in a number of casualties.
He conveyed his condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives. Sartaj Aziz and Ajit Doval are scheduled to meet in New Delhi for talks on all issues including Jammu Kashmir and Indian interference in some parts of Pakistan for the first time on August 23, as decided in a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi last month in Ufa in Russia.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk