JUST RESOLUTION OF KASHMIR DISPUTE ESSENTIAL FOR LASTING PEACE IN SOUTH ASIA: RANA QASIM NOON
Pakistan’s Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir chairman says Islamabad will continue diplomatic, political and moral support for Kashmiris; praises PM Shehbaz Sharif for raising the issue at UN General Assembly
In exclusive remarks to Express News, Noon says diplomatic and parliamentary engagement will continue, expressing hope for an eventual peaceful settlement
By Fazal Khaliq | Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 28, 2026 — Chairman of Pakistan’s Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon has said that a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute remains essential for lasting peace, stability and security in South Asia, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to continue its political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmiri people.
Speaking to journalists at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C., Noon described Pakistanis and Kashmiris as “one soul in two bodies” and said Islamabad would continue diplomatic and parliamentary efforts to keep the Kashmir issue on the international agenda.
He said the dispute should be resolved peacefully in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, adding that prolonged tensions over Kashmir carry broader implications for regional peace and security.
Noon welcomed Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to raise Kashmir during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, saying Pakistan’s position had been presented clearly before the international community.
He also referred to discussions within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir during the UN General Assembly session, saying participating member states had reiterated support for Pakistan’s position on the dispute.
Noon argued that developments in South Asia had further underscored the need for sustained international attention to unresolved regional disputes. He said tensions between two nuclear-armed neighbors demonstrated the importance of diplomacy, dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.
‘We Remain Hopeful’
In an exclusive conversation with Express News, Noon said Pakistan’s diplomatic, political and parliamentary efforts in support of the Kashmir cause would continue.
“We remain hopeful and committed to pursuing the Kashmir cause through peaceful, diplomatic and political means,” Noon said. “We firmly hope that one day this longstanding dispute will reach a just, peaceful and lasting resolution.”
He said his visit to Washington following engagements surrounding the 81st session of the UN General Assembly was aimed at drawing greater international attention to Kashmir and advocating a sustainable settlement of the dispute.
Noon stressed that engagement with policymakers, diplomats, international institutions and the media remained an important component of efforts to keep the issue before the international community.
Pakistan Ambassador Reaffirms Islamabad’s Position
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, also addressed the gathering and reiterated Islamabad’s longstanding position on Kashmir.
Sheikh said Kashmiris had endured the consequences of the unresolved dispute for nearly eight decades and that their sacrifices could not be forgotten.
He said Pakistan viewed the unresolved status of Jammu and Kashmir through the framework of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, reiterating that Islamabad would continue what it describes as its moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people.
The ambassador also emphasized that economic strength, political stability, sustained diplomatic engagement and long-term strategic focus were important for advancing Pakistan’s national objectives.
Noon maintained that sustainable peace in South Asia could not be separated from the peaceful settlement of longstanding disputes. He called for greater international engagement and renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent regional tensions from escalating.
The briefing concluded with Noon thanking journalists for their participation and highlighting the role of international and diaspora media in bringing different dimensions of the Kashmir dispute before a wider global audience.
Pakistan and India continue to hold sharply differing positions over Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan advocates a settlement linked to UN resolutions and Kashmiri self-determination, while India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and generally treats outstanding issues with Pakistan as matters to be addressed bilaterally.
