Pak Baits India Again, To Send Kashmir Envoys To 22 Nations
India refused to respond to the fresh round of diplomatic provocation by Pakistan, as Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif named 22 parliamentarians on Saturday as special envoys to highlight its stance on the Kashmir issue in key capitals of the world. “I am standing behind these special envoys to ensure their toil for highlighting the Kashmir cause resonates across the world, so that I can shake the collective conscience of the international community during my address at the United Nations this September,” he said. “On its part, New Delhi has kept the focus on terrorism and Pakistan’s support for violence in its exchanges with Islamabad and while explaining the situation in J&K (Jammu and Kashmir) to other nations. “I have decided to send these parliamentarians for fighting the Kashmir cause in different parts of the world. These special envoys have the strength of the people of Pakistan, prayers from the Kashmiri people across the line of control, the mandate of Parliament and support from the government,” the Pakistan PM said in a statement issued by his office. So far Pakistan’s efforts to drum up support for its stance on Kashmir has not struck any significant chord with the international community. The bilateral atmosphere between India and Pakistan has steadily worsened, raising questions about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Islamabad for the Saarc summit in November. Sources in New Delhi said Nawaz Sharif’s description of slain Hizbul commander Burhan Wani as a “martyr” and declaration of Pakistan Independence Day as “Freedom for Kashmir” Day breached certain boundaries. Keeping up the tempo on an unusually vociferous campaign, Mr Sharif is planning to rake up Kashmir at the UNGA in a big way. Mr Modi is unlikely to go for the UNGA session this year, leaving external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to represent India at the high level segment. Mr Sharif is likely to use this opportunity to the fullest. Times of India