Pakistan PM raised Kashmir issue with UN chief: Spokesman
What's the story
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan telephoned UN chief Antonio Guterres and raised the issue of Kashmir, a UN spokesman has said.
Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General, didn't give further details about the conversation.
When asked to comment on India's strong retort to Khan that Kashmir is an integral part of India, Dujarric said, "Our position on Kashmir has been reiterated."
Phone call
Spokesperson also referred to UN observer group over Kashmir issue
"There is an observer group as mandated by the Security Council over Kashmir issue," Dujarric said, referring to the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).
He added, "It's normal that the Secretary-General speaks to Heads of Governments and Heads of State and, I can confirm that the call took place and that the Prime Minister raised the issue of Kashmir."
Information
Pakistan's statements on Kashmiris demonstrates 'insincerity' and 'duplicity': MEA spokesperson
In a set of recent tweets, Khan said, "Kashmiris must be allowed to decide their future". Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, in response, said, "The statements coming out from their (Pakistan) side demonstrates the insincerity and duplicity."
UNMOGIP
Purpose of UNMOGIP: Thorough observation and checking over India-Pakistan ceasefire
The UNMOGIP was established in January 1949 and currently has a total of 118 UN and civilian staff.
Following the India-Pakistan war in 1971 and a subsequent ceasefire agreement of December 17 of that year, the tasks of UNMOGIP have been to observe developments pertaining to the strict observance of the ceasefire and to report them to the Secretary-General.
India's response
UNMOGIP outlived its utility, irrelevant after Simla Agreement: India
India has maintained that UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Simla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the Line of Control (LoC).
The Simla Agreement was signed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan on 2 July 1972. It was the peace treaty seeking to reverse the consequences of the 1971 war.