Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday said India has no "choice" other than implementing the UN resolutions on the Kashmir issue and demanded an "impartial plebiscite".
"In any case, the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir were accepted by India as well. They are relevant and applicable. Hence it is not a matter of choice," said Foreign Office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam.
"Pakistan firmly believes that the final disposition of the Jammu and Kashmir issue should be in accordance with the will of the Kashmiri people, to be determined through a free and impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices, as enshrined in relevant Security Council Resolutions," she said.
Aslam said Kashmir issue remains on the agenda of the UN Security Council and the UN observers are present on the Line of Control and in the two countries.
"This unresolved issue remains the root cause of tension between Pakistan and India, and it's just resolution is of paramount importance for ensuring peace, stability and development in the region," she said.
The spokeswoman said there were various measures and steps through which this dispute is highlighted and "we remain engaged with the UN both in New York and in Geneva."
She also mentioned the speech of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during the UN General Assembly annual meeting and termed it a manifestation of highlighting the Kashmir issue at the UN forum.
She said Pakistan welcomes the statement by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, offering his good offices, to assist in resolving the long outstanding issue of Kashmir, if requested by both India and Pakistan.
"The Secretary General's statement regarding the need to associate the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the process, while respecting their rights, is deeply appreciated."
Aslam said Pakistan remains committed to a sustained, unconditional and result-oriented dialogue with India, to discuss all outstanding issue, including the core issue of Kashmir.
She refused to answer a question about the reported 300 conversions of Muslims in India by saying that since they were just press reports, she needed to check this information.
