British MP wants Kashmir dispute settled

ISLAMABAD - A British MP Sunday called for an early resolution of the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan saying “peace in South Asia is not possible without it”.

Jason McCartney, a former BBC correspondent, said human rights violations allegedly committed by Indian security forces in the Kashmir Valley were a cause for concern for the global community.

“India and Pakistan should resolve this issue politically through dialogue by involving all the potential stakeholders. The global powers should also play their due role,” McCartney said.

The media could also play a vital role in this regard, he added.

“Economic prosperity of the region is linked to the resolution of all outstanding disputes between India and Pakistan. Several other (British) parliamentarians share the same concern,” he said.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars over the divided Kashmir since their independence from British rule in 1947.

A Line of Control (LoC) separates the Pakistani and Indian sides of the Kashmir Valley. The dispute has also been the focal point of talks between the two countries.

India accuses Paksitan of arming and training separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir. Islamabad says it only gives moral and diplomatic support.

(Awais Saleem can be contacted at ians.pakistan@gmail.com)