ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan on Thursday said it would welcome if the United States played a mediatory role with India in resolution of issues, particularly the Kashmir dispute.
“We continue to urge our American friends including those in the administration to mediate between Pakistan and India, particularly on Kashmir…and have welcomed this in the past as well,” the Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said in a weekly press briefing in Islamabad.
However, the spokesman declined to comment on the statement of US presidential candidate Donald Trump who offered to mediate between the two South Asian neighbours, if elected, terming it a media report.
To a question on US demand of hitting at specific militant groups, the spokesman said Pakistan did not draw distinction against any group in its efforts to eliminate terrorists.
“We are determined and well-resolute in eradicating terrorism,” he said, adding that the sacrifices of 70,000 Pakistanis who lost their lives in this fight had been acknowledged by the US political elite from time to time.
Zakaria said India had been “ridiculously failed” in its attempt to isolate Pakistan.
“India’s negative policies to disrupt development process of the region and its claim for peaceful neighbourhood have been exposed before international community,” he said.
Commenting on a statement of Indian home minister Rajnath Singh blaming Pakistan of harbouring terrorism, the Spokesman said the remarks did not reflect India’s own subversive activities in Pakistan, from terror-financing to using Afghan soil against Pakistan.
