MOSCOW:  Speaking at the sixth Moscow Conference on International Security, Pakistan’s Defence minister Khawaja Muhammed Asif said that Russia must play its part to stabilise the situation in Afghanistan.

Discussing the Kashmir issue, the minister said that if left unresolved, it has the potential to threaten the peace and stability of the entire region. 

“The Kashmir issue must be resolved in accordance with the UN resolution,” the defence minister said. “I must share that all peace overtures and sincere efforts made by Pakistan are not being reciprocated [by India].”  

He stressed that it is the responsibility of the world community to address some of the long-standing conflicts of the world. “India continues to stay away from any plausible diplomatic approach for the resolution of Kashmir issue.”

Expressing his views on the situation in the Middle East, the minister termed the United States’ attack on Syria as 'external interference.'

Read more: Khawaja Asif slams term “Islamic terrorism” at Munich Security Conference

Asif said that polarised societies are breeding grounds for terrorism. “From Palestine to Kashmir, we have a history of suppression and denial of basic human rights,” he said.

“Extremists garner support by exploiting polarisation - so there is a need to develop stronger counter-narratives, based on interfaith harmony, economic equality, cross-cultural mutual respect, to deny extremists that space,” the defence minister stated. 

Read more: Pakistan not the property of any religion or sect: Khawaja Asif

The minister stated that Pakistan does not believe in any distinction between terrorist outfits. Talking about the Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, he said the remaining terrorists are being combed out through the operation.  

He thanked the Russian defence ministry for inviting and affording Pakistan the opportunity to share the country's perspective on the issues of global security and challenges of the 21st century.

Asif complimented the defence ministry of the Russian federation for hosting the important activity "which provides us [Pakistan] a useful platform to interact with the policy makers from across the globe. It also allows us to visit the Russian nation which is home of a great nation. Strong traditions, rich history, and one of the most important players in the emerging polycentric world order."

He said the "controversial expectations of democratic peace," continues to be "marred by accentuated regional disputes, political instabilities, rising socio-economic challenges, widespread trans-national terrorism, and a fragile international system to handle all this."

The defence minister remarked that as a consequence, "multiple actors have gained prominence, thereby changing the balance-of-power equation across the globe and causing gradual dissuation of the so-called uni polar international system."