ISLAMABAD-Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Barjees Tahir has said that Prime Minister has forcefully highlighted the Kashmir issue in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

In an interview, he said the Prime Minister represented aspirations of the people of Kashmir in his speech. The Minister said Kashmir is a core issue between Pakistan and India and it should be resolved through dialogue. He said cancellation of Foreign Secretary level talks by India has not sent a good message to the world.

Barjees Tahir called upon the international community and Human Rights Organizations to exert pressure on India to come to the negotiating table for resolution of this long standing dispute according to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

To a question, the Minister said if the United Nations can hold referendum in East Timor why it cannot hold plebiscite in Kashmir according to UN Security Council resolutions.