Shehbaz Sharif seeks North Korea-US style detente for Pakistan, India

LAHORE - Former Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif expressed that the recent detente between North Korea and the United States should set a good precedent for Pakistan & India to follow.

In a series of tweets on Tuesday, the politician expressed his desire that the nuclear-armed neighbors, India and Pakistan should also start a dialogue to solve disputed issues including the Kashmir one.

https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1006508635344732160?s=19

The Pakistan Muslim League president lamented that the people of Kashmir had been resisting the Indian occupation, but hastened to add that both the South-Asian neighbours can join hands for peace.

If the United States and North Korea can return from the brink of a nuclear flashpoint, there is no reason why Pakistan and India cannot do the same, beginning with a dialogue on Kashmir whose heroic people have resisted and rejected Indian occupation. (2/3)

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 12, 2018

The 66-year-old political leader called upon the international community to divert its focus towards the resolution of disputes between Pakistan and India, urging the international community to play its part for resolution of Kashmir dispute in line with UN resolutions.

He also highlighted that comprehensive peace talks should be initiated in the region, mentioning the peace process in war-battered Afghanistan as well.

It's time for comprehensive peace talks in our region. International community must focus on the peace process in Afghanistan. Dialogue b/w Pakistan & India over Kashmir should also resume, so that the long-festering Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with UN resolutions.

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 12, 2018

He also welcomed the initiatives for ceasefire in Afghanistan during Eid-ul-Fitr, terming it as a positive first step towards promoting an Afghan-led & Afghan-owned peace process.

The former lawmaker chief said the PML-N government had played a pivotal role in initiating steps for peace in Afghanistan, including hosting the first ever direct, face to face talks between the Afghan government and the Afghan Taliban in Murree in July 2015.

Mian Shehbaz Sharif pledged that if the PML-N returns to office after the July 25 polls, it will be the top priority of the PML-N government to promote peace in Afghanistan as peace in Afghanistan is inextricably intertwined with peace and security in Pakistan.

Shehbaz's comments came hours after US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shook hands in Singapore for a summit, termed historic by the political analysts.

After the meeting, Trump expressed that the military drills with South Korea, which have been a bone of contention between Washington and Pyongyang would be ceased.

On the other hand, Kim said that the way to come here was not easy. 'The old prejudices and practices worked as obstacles on our way forward, but we overcame all of them and we are here today.'

The pair also signed an agreement in which, according to international media, North Korea has reaffirmed its commitment to the denuclearization of Korean Peninsula.

Earlier, Trump and Kim held a one-on-one meeting, which lasted about 48 minutes, as both top guns emerged from the meeting room,  Trump expressed that the talks were "very, very good" and that he and Kim have an "excellent relationship".