Kashmir issue needs to be addressed through talks: Italy

By: Kaswar Klasra

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's efforts to get attention of the international community on Kashmir issue are gaining momentum as the Italian Foreign Minister, currently on a visit to Pakistan, said on Thursday that the dispute should be solved amicably.

"Kashmir issue is indeed a problem for Pakistan and needs to be addressed through dialogue," Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said during a press briefing jointly addressed by him and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Frattini told journalists that it was in India's interest to have "excellent relations" with Pakistan and that New Delhi should work for "positive movements" to resolve the dispute. However, he especially mentioned that only dialogue was the best way to deal with the disputes like Kashmir and Palestine.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told media men that Pakistan and Italy had agreed to further enhance bilateral relationship and that both of the countries were on the same page regarding a number of issues.

When asked to comment on Obama's clear backing for India's aspirations for a permanent Security Council seat, Foreign Minister Qureshi invoked Subcontinent's most respected Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya and said it was not easy for India to get permanent seat in the UNSC.

"I have a message for the people in Delhi - Hunooz Dilli door ast," Qureshi said during conference held in auditorium of Foreign Office.

Qureshi suggested that India's efforts to gain a permanent membership could be a long-drawn and complicated process despite Obama's backing for the move.

The FM said Pakistan wants a "comprehensive, democratic and representative" expansion of the Security Council. He told journalists that he had spoken to his Chinese counterpart about Pakistan's reservations on India's bid to gain permanent membership of the body.

Meanwhile President Asif Ali Zardari is also expected to raise the issue during his ongoing visit to China.

Fortunately, Foreign Minister of Italy strongly hailed Pakistan's stance regarding expansion of Security Council and said it should be done through proper channel.