Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif Expresses Desire For 'Permanent Peace' With India, Says 'War Not An Option'

Addressing a delegation of students from Harvard University, the Pakistan PM said that sustainable peace in the region was related to the resolution of the Kashmir issue as per the UN resolutions

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

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New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif talked about Islamabad’s desire to have "permanent peace" with India through dialogue and reiterated that war is not an option for both the countries to resolve the issue over Kashmir, news agency PTI reported on Saturday.  

Addressing a delegation of students from Harvard University, the Pakistan PM said that sustainable peace in the region was related to the resolution of the Kashmir issue as per the UN resolutions, The News International newspaper reported.

“Pakistan resolves to maintain peace in the region, and that sustainable peace in the region was linked to the resolution of the Kashmir issue as per the UN resolutions,” Sharif said, adding, “We want permanent peace with India through dialogue as war is not an option for either of the countries.”

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It is to be noted that India-Pakistan ties have often been strained over the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

However, the tension between the two countries escalated further after India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution, revoking the special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcating the state into Union Territories on August 5, 2019.

Notably, this decision evoked strong reactions from Pakistan, which downgraded diplomatic relations with the country and expelled the Indian ambassador.

However, India has repeatedly made it clear that Jammu and Kashmir “was, is and shall forever” remain an integral part of the nation.

It also said that the country wants normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence.

During his address on Saturday, Sharif pointed out that Islamabad and New Delhi should have competition in trade, economy and improving the conditions of their people.