ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has left India in quandary as on Thursday said it wasready to facilitate the Commission of Inquiry as proposed in a recent UNreport to Azad Kashmir if India gives a similar access to the UN team toJammu and Kashmir. Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal welcomed theOffice of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report’srecommendation for an independent, international Commission of Inquiry onKashmir.

Pakistan is “ready to facilitate the Commission of Inquiry to visit” AzadKashmir as proposed in the recent UN Report, provided that India is readyto allow them access to Jammu and Kashmir, he said. India had reactedsharply to the UN report last week, terming it “fallacious, tendentious andmotivated”, and lodged a strong protest with the United Nations, saying thegovernment is “deeply concerned that individual prejudices are beingallowed to undermine the credibility of a UN institution.”ADVERTISEMENT

“India must not shy away from this international obligation if it hasnothing to hide!” Faisal said. He said Pakistan’s position remainsconsistent as “we had nothing to hide.” “We are ready for a Commission ofEnquiry to visit” both part of Kashmir, he said during a media briefinghere. Pakistan is “closely monitoring the developments” in Jammu andKashmir, Faisal said, commenting on the imposition of the Governor’s rulein the state.

Talking about a statement by the Indian army chief on the importance ofdialogue for peace in Kashmir, Faisal said Pakistan has always advocatedthe peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue in line with the UNSCResolutions.ADVERTISEMENT

“Indian statements would carry more weight if their actions on ground aresynced with verbal rhetoric,” he said. “India has to come out of theChanakya mindset,” he added. He also said India released 6 Pakistaniprisoners but another 52 Pakistani prisoners await repatriation since lastyear, despite having completed their sentences and completion of allformalities.

“Our High Commission in New Delhi is in constant touch with the Indianauthorities for repatriation of Pakistani prisoners. We expect India toexpedite their already delayed return,” he added.