Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said dialogue between Pakistan and India will only take place if the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir improves.        

In an interview with Khaleej Times, he said Kashmir is not a bilateral; rather an internationally recognized issue as there are numerous UN Security Council resolutions on it.              

He said if India and Pakistan want lasting peace in South Asia, they will have to discuss Kashmir issue to find a resolution according to the aspirations of Kashmiri people, as it cannot be put back burners.

Foreign Minister said he was in the United Arab Emirates to discuss the evolving regional situation and the developments taking place in Afghanistan.        

He said Pakistan desired a peaceful, democratic and stable Afghanistan, but for that the peace process has to be taken forward by the people of Afghanistan. 

He said Pakistan is comfortable with the role the UAE can play to improve relations between India and Pakistan.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said we want to move ahead, but in order to get there, India, which is responsible for vitiating the environment will have to create a conducive and enabling environment, for the dialogue to take place.

Pakistan will appreciate anyone and everyone including UAE to play a positive and constructive role, but the initiative will have to be indigenous.

He said there have been some positive developments, as India wants says it to see a peaceful Afghanistan and region but Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control are suffering from unprovoked firing by India.