Pakistan to now raise Kashmir issue at ICJ

Pakistan to now raise Kashmir issue at ICJ

Shah Mehmood Qureshi. (File Photo: IANS)

Islamabad, Aug 20 (IANS) After its diplomatic overdrive on Kashmir fetched it virtually no results, barring support from friend China, Pakistan on Tuesday said it will take the Kashmir issue to the International Court of Justice.

"We have decided to take the Kashmir case to the International Court of Justice," Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told ARY News TV.

"The decision was taken after considering all legal aspects," he said.

Pakistan's move comes after US President Donald Trump called up "two good friends" -- Modi and Imran Khan, urging them to work towards reducing tensions over Kashmir. He also advised Pakistan to "moderate its rhetoric with India" over Kashmir.

In a tweet on Monday, Trump said: "Spoke to my two good friends, Prime Minister Modi of India, and Prime Minister Khan of Pakistan, regarding trade, strategic partnerships and, most importantly, for India and Pakistan to work towards reducing tensions in Kashmir. A tough situation, but good conversations," he tweeted.

The Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman also spoke with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on the Kashmir situation.

The Monday night phone call comes a fortnight after Khan had called up the Saudi Crown Prince to inform him about India's move to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Both the leaders discussed a host of issues, including the ongoing Kashmir crisis. Khan briefed the Saudi royal about the situation in "Indian occupied Kashmir", said Pakistani media reports.

However, despite Imran Khan calling up every country's leader, including Muslim majority ones, no country has come out in support, barring China.

Pakistan's move to get Kashmir discussed at the UN Security Council, thanks to China, also did not get much traction. The issue was discussed behind closed-door. and the UNSC backed India's position that its move on Kashmir was to bring about more development.

--IANS

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