RELATIONS CAN’T BE NORMAL TILL ART 370 RESTORED, SAYS IMRAN KHAN
Relations between Pakistan and India cannot be normalised till New Delhi rolls back its decision of August 2019 to scrap the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Wednesday. Addressing a joint press interaction with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon in Islamabad, Khan said the full potential of the region can be achieved only if the situation in Afghanistan stabilises and there are better ties between India and Pakistan.
Following back-channel contacts facilitated by countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, the militaries of India and Pakistan recommitted themselves to the 2009 ceasefire on the Line of Control in February. However, efforts initiated by Khan’s government to resume normal trade ties fell through because of opposition to the move within his government.
“The challenge for Pakistan is that the full potential of the region will be realised if there is peace in the region,” Khan said.
Referring to Pakistan’s strained relations with India, he said, “Unfortunately, since their unilateral decision on Kashmir on August 5, 2019, and because of the violation of international laws and UN Security Council resolutions, it is very difficult for us to normalise trade with [India] because it will be a betrayal of the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people.” He added, “So till India reverses [these steps], our relations can’t improve.”
There was no immediate response from Indian officials.
NEW DELHI: