[DAWN] Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
, while addressing the UN General Assembly's 70th session in New York, proposed a four point agenda to diffuse tension between Pakistain and India.
"Cooperation, not confrontation, should define our relationship with India," said Nawaz.
Yet today ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary are intensifying, causing civilian deaths including women and kiddies, he added.
"I want to use the opportunity today to propose a new peace initiative with India, starting with measures that are the simplest to implement."
Nawaz suggested that Pakistain and India should formalise and respect the 2003 understanding for a complete ceasefire on the Line of Control in Kashmire.
For this purpose, he called for UNMOGIP's expansion to monitor the observance of the ceasefire.
Secondly, the premier urged both the countries to reaffirm their resolve that they will not resort to the use of force under any circumstances. He pointed out that this is a central element of the UN Charter.
Nawaz also proposed that steps should be taken to demilitarise Kashmire.
"Pakistain and India should agree to an unconditional mutual withdrawal from Siachen Glacier -- the world's highest battleground," he said.
Nawaz said an easing of threat perceptions through such peaceful efforts will make it possible for Pakistain and India to agree on a broad range of measures to address the peril posed by offensive and advanced weapons systems.
"Pakistain neither wants to, nor is it engaged in, an arms race in South Asia," he asserted.
As a responsible nuclear weapon state, Pakistain will continue to support the objectives of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, he added.