India, Pak should resolve Kashmir dispute through dialogue: Ban

Rejecting Pakistan’s repeated pleas to the United Nations (UN) to resolve the Kashmir dispute, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has told Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that Pakistan and India should address their outstanding issues, including Kashmir, through “dialogue”.

Ban’s remarks came as Sharif handed over to him a dossier containing evidence of alleged human rights violations by Indian forces in Kashmir. 

"The Secretary-General stressed the need for Pakistan and India to address their outstanding issues, including Kashmir, through dialogue, saying it is in the interest of both countries and the region as a whole,” according to a readout of Ban’s meeting with Sharif provided by his spokesperson.

Ban met Sharif here on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly.

According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Mission to the UN, Sharif handed over to Ban the dossier containing information and evidence of alleged atrocities and human rights violations against Kashmiris.

He also showed Ban the “pictures” of “innocent and defenceless” people in Kashmir "victimised through brutal use of force and atrocities." 

"The Prime Minister also reiterated the imperative of an independent inquiry into the extra judicial killings and a UN fact finding mission to investigate the situation in occupied Kashmir. He emphasised that India must be urged to abide by UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir," the statement said.