Sir — Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif faults India for its ‘lack of sincerity’ in resolving the Kashmir issue. His objection to India’s oft-repeated statement that Kashmir is an integral part of India, is untenable.
Mr Sharif wants the issue to be settled in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspirations of Kashmiris to ensure peace in the region. The commission established by the UN Security Council was mandated to help the Governments of India and Pakistan restore peace and order in the region and prepare for a plebiscite to decide the fate of Kashmir under Chapter VI of UN charter. Mr Sharif conveniently ignores the fact that such resolutions are non-binding.
In order to ensure impartiality of the plebiscite, the resolution recommended the withdrawal of all Pakistani tribesmen and nationals who entered the region to fight, and that India leave only minimum number of troops to keep civil order. Pakistan itself has gone on record to ignore the UN mandate to withdraw its people on the plea that India should withdraw its forces first. The only issue outstanding is for India to take back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.