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Will consult Kashmiri separatists before talks with India: Sharif
Afzal Khan in Islamabad

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has blamed India for adopting inflexible approach towards the Kashmir issue. Ignoring India's opposition, Sharif today said Pakistan would hold dialogue with Kashmiri separatists to take them into confidence before engaging in peace talks with India.

Speaking at a meeting of Kashmir Council in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Thursday, Sharif said he would consult Hurriyat leaders prior to entering negotiations with India.

"It is our fundamental belief that the Kashmir issue should be resolved through dialogue. My government started dialogue with India but it cancelled the scheduled talks between the foreign secretaries," he said.

New Delhi called off foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan scheduled to be held on August 25 after Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit met Kashmiri separatists.

Sharif's comments came ahead of the SAARC summit next week in Nepal which will be attended by him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In September, Sharif raised the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly session invoking indirect response from his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. The Indian External Affairs Minister gave a more pointed reply reiterating Indian position that "Kashmir is an integral part of India". Calling for a peaceful resolution of the dispute in the Muzaffarabad meeting, Sharif said all issues should be resolved through negotiations and without the use of force.

"Many civilians and security personnel were injured during the recent ceasefire violations along the Line of Control. We don't want to use power," said Sharif.

He also expressed concern over the silence of the UN and international community on the issue and urged them to take initiative for the resolution of the dispute according to UN Security Council's resolutions and the aspiration of Kashmiri people. "Pakistan has always kept Kashmir issue at the forefront in all world peace forums," Sharif said.