Pakistan’s
attempt to raise Kashmir bogey at UN and OIC would be futile: Husain Haqqani
Naveen Kapoor
Washington D.C., Sept. 21
(ANI): Pakistan's former envoy to the United States, Husain Haqqani, on Monday
said that Islamabad's attempt to raise the Kashmir bogey at meetings of the
Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and at the United Nations in New York
would be an exercise in futility.
He said that both New Delhi and Islamabad should first try to become
good neighbours before discussing issues of dispute.
Speaking to ANI, Haqqani
also said that hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani's presence at the
OIC meeting would be inconsequential in terms of the Kashmir issue.
"OIC is not a
substantive body in any sense, people will talk there. Mr. Geelani is welcome
to talk there, but I don't think that will internationalise the Kashmir issue.
I think it is best for Pakistan and India build good
relations and go ahead with trade, go ahead with travel and become good
neighbours, and then, start discussing the disputed issues," Haqqani told
ANI.
"Bringing Mr. Geelani
to the OIC is not going to really change much, it will only become headline in
Pakistani media, and maybe, in the Indian media," he added.
The former Pakistani envoy
further said that Islamabad's attempts to internationalise the Kashmir issue
has not served his country well. He said that Pakistan should instead focus on
its internal development.
"I think that the
attempt to try and make Kashmir an international issue, just as it was in the
1950s is definitely an integral part of the policy in my country, and I think,
it has not served my country well. Pakistan will do much better by focusing on
developing its economy, ensuring internal security, not becoming a nation that
is criticised by so many countries led by India, but not only by India,"
he said.
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