New York/United Nations: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would raise the Kashmir issue in his address to the UN General Assembly on Friday, the Pakistan government said while ruling out resumption of any dialogue with India unless the initiative in this regard is taken by New Delhi.
Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Ajaz Ahmad Chaudhry told reporters here there is "no reason" for Sharif not to raise the issue of Kashmir during his address to the annual session of United Nations General Assembly this afternoon.
Chaudhry, who is accompanying Sharif, said that Pakistan believes that a plebiscite is still a solution to Kashmir.
He said that the onus for resumption of any kind of interaction is with India, which he said, had earlier called off the bilateral talks at the level of foreign secretaries.
"It is India which cancelled the talks. It's for them (India) to take the initiative for any interaction (between the two countries)," Chaudhry said.
If India takes the initiative for talks, Pakistan would consider it, he said in response to a question.
Meanwhile, Sharif and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon have discussed the current political crisis and security situation in Pakistan and the need for improved bilateral relations with India.
The UN chief met Sharif on Thursday and talked about the political and prevailing security situation in Pakistan.
"The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister also discussed the need for improved relations between Pakistan and India," according to Ban's spokesperson.
The secretary-general also expressed hope that Pakistan and Afghanistan would continue to improve their bilateral ties.
Ban also conveyed his condolences to Sharif for the victims of the recent floods in Pakistan and his concern over the devastation caused by them.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also reach New York on Friday for his five-day visit to the US.
But a meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly is unlikely.
