Key points
- Aid agencies preparing supplies in case of conflict: Chaudhry
- Calls for attention on Kashmir’s long-term future
- Pakistan has said it expects India strike in coming days
ISLAMABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry has called for international mediation to resolve the Kashmir issue.
In an interview with Reuters news agency on Wednesday, he said his administration was preparing a humanitarian response in case of any further escalation between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan.
Pakistan’s government has said it has “credible intelligence” that India intends to launch military action soon after days of escalating tensions.
“There is a lot of activity going on and anything could happen so we have to prepare for it. These few days are very important,” Chaudhry said, calling for rapid international diplomacy to de-escalate the situation.
Need for de-escalation
Chaudhry said Gulf states could help in de-escalating the tensions.
“We expect some mediation at this time from some friendly countries and we hope that that mediation must take place, otherwise, India would do anything this time,” he said. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates could be in a position to mediate, he added.
“We expect some mediation at this time from some friendly countries and we hope that that mediation must take place, otherwise, India would do anything this time.” – Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry
He also called for attention on Kashmir’s long-term future, which is a flashpoint between India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule.
Chaudhry also said he hoped major players like the United States and Britain might also get involved.
“Hot”
He said activity along the Line of Control (LoC) that divides the two portions of Kashmir was “hot” and that Pakistan had shot down two Indian drones in the last few days.
Pakistan had also detected Indian Rafale fighter jets flying near the LoC, though they had not crossed, he added.
“I think this is the right time for the international community as a whole and the UN to play some mediating role in Kashmir,” he said.
“It’s been a very long time and the people of Kashmir have suffered a lot.”
