MARGARITA ISLAND, Venezuela: The Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has called for a just settlement of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people, as enshrined in the UN Security Council resolution which was an essential pre-requisite for peace in South Asia.
In a statement at the 17th Non Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit 2016 held in Margarita Island in Venezuela on September 17-18, the advisor also raised the issue of grave violation of human rights committed by Indian forces in the Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The two-day NAM Summit concluded on Monday with the adoption of the NAM Declaration on important political issues such as terrorism, self-determination, situation in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Iraq and a range of social and economic issues.
Sartaj Aziz led the Pakistani delegation in the NAM Summit.
In line with Pakistan’s stance, the outcome document clearly opposes attempts to equate legitimate struggle for the right to self-determination with terrorism.
The advisor’s also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Highlighting Pakistan’s sacrifices in the campaign against terrorism and its success in tackling this menace, Sartaj Aziz mentioned that Pakistan is ready to share its counter terrorism experience with other NAM countries.
In view of new alignments and re-alignments that are redefining the global geo-strategic and political landscape, the advisor also proposed to setup a high-level Panel to undertake a thorough review of the priorities of NAM, with a view to making it a Movement of Solidarity that safeguards the interests of developing countries.
A number of Heads of State and Governments including Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, President Raul Castro of Cuba and President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine attended the NAM Summit.
The leaders urged the revitalization of NAM and adherence to its core principles. They condemned the unilateralist policies of intervention, regime change through use of force and imposition of arbitrary sanctions.
While referring to Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Afghanistan, the leaders called for building peace under national ownership and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of these countries. They also expressed their support to the Palestinian people and condemned the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.
Venezuela will preside over the NAM process for the next three years, to be replaced by Azerbaijan in 2019.
