Latest news with #SummitoftheFuture
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Crown Prince pushes forward Kuwait's strategic growth
From Riyadh to Osaka, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled amplifies Kuwait's voice KUWAIT: Kuwait celebrates Monday the first anniversary of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah's appointment as Crown Prince, continuing the nation's developmental journey and strengthening its regional and global standing. His Highness was born in 1953 and earned a degree in Political Science in 1977. He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1978 and later served as Kuwait's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and the country's representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation from 1995 to 1998. In 1998, he was appointed Head of the National Security Bureau with ministerial rank. Over the years, he held several key ministerial roles, including Minister of Social Affairs (2006–2007), Minister of Information (2008–2009), and Minister of Foreign Affairs starting in 2011. In 2012, he was named Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, a position he held through 2017. On November 19, 2019, he was appointed Prime Minister and went on to form four successive governments between 2019 and 2021. His Highness' journey as Crown Prince began with the issuance of an Amiri order on June 1, 2024, in which His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah nominated him as Crown Prince. The following day, June 2, an Amiri decree was issued appointing him to the role, receiving widespread public approval. NEW YORK: Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah leads Kuwait's delegation to the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, where he also represented His Highness the Amir at the Summit of the Future. DOHA: Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled delivers a speech at the third Asian Cooperation Dialogue Summit. RIYADH: Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled meets with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. In a speech on the occasion, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled pledged to His Highness the Amir: 'I vow with resolve and determination to remain true to my oath, loyal to my duty, your steadfast supporter and sincere advisor, devoted to serving my country, safeguarding its interests, ensuring its security and stability, upholding its values, authenticity, and unity, striving for its advancement, and committed to the principles of our Islamic faith and our national values.' On the same day, the Cabinet held a special session chaired by His Highness the PM Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, during which council ministers pledged allegiance to His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled as Crown Prince. His Highness then took the constitutional oath before the Cabinet. Throughout the past year, His Highness closely followed up on development plans, attended national events, inaugurated new facilities, welcomed Arab and international officials, honored distinguished national figures, and conducted regional and international tours. KUWAIT: Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah takes his constitutional oath before His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The Crown Prince attends a special cabinet session, during which council ministers pledged allegiance to His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled. DOHA: Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled meets Deputy Amir of Qatar Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani. Key highlights of the year: June 11, 2024: Visited Saudi Arabia and held talks with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman on bilateral relations and regional developments. September 19, 2024: Led Kuwait's delegation to the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, where he also represented the Amir at the Summit of the Future. October 2, 2024: Headed Kuwait's delegation to the third Asian Cooperation Dialogue Summit in Doha, highlighting the role of sports diplomacy and calling for collective action on major regional challenges including Palestine and Lebanon. November 4, 2024: Represented the Amir at the high-level conference 'Strengthening International Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism and Building Agile Border Security Mechanisms – The Kuwait Phase of the Dushanbe Process.' November 11–12, 2024: Led Kuwait's delegation at the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh and then traveled to Azerbaijan to head the delegation at the COP29 Global Climate Summit. March 4, 2025: Headed Kuwait's delegation to the extraordinary Arab Summit in Cairo. May 25, 2025: Chaired Kuwait's delegation at the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur. May 28–31, 2025: Visited Japan, where he held high-level meetings culminating in an agreement to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership and signed several agreements. He also visited Expo 2025 in Osaka, exploring the pavilions of Kuwait, Japan and the GCC. Arab and international relations His Highness' career has seen pivotal moments in shaping Kuwait's diplomacy over the past two decades and addressing major national and international challenges. He has consistently supported GCC unity and cooperation across all sectors. In Arab forums, His Highness emphasized Kuwait's commitment to Arab integration and solidarity, particularly supporting the Palestinian cause and advocating for international resolutions regarding it. He has maintained Kuwait's firm foreign policy based on mutual respect, non-interference, international legitimacy, and peaceful conflict resolution in accordance with the UN Charter. — KUNA
Daily News Egypt
7 days ago
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Standing Between Conflict and Hope: Time to Equip UN Peacekeepers for Tomorrow's Challenges
As the United Nations (UN) marks its 80th anniversary, the legacy of UN peacekeeping stands as one of the clearest and most enduring expressions of multilateral cooperation. For nearly eight decades, the service and sacrifice of Blue Helmets have saved and changed lives—helping countries navigate the difficult path from war to peace. From Cyprus to Lebanon, and from the Central African Republic to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, more than 76,000 civilian, military, and police personnel currently serve in 11 missions around the world. These men and women offer a lifeline to millions living in some of the world's most fragile political and security environments. In light of these growing pressures, it is essential to rethink the role of peacekeeping within the broader international peace and security architecture. As President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has rightly asserted 'peacekeeping—while a vital tool of the international community—should not be viewed as the sole means of maintaining peace'. H.E further emphasized that 'it cannot substitute preventive diplomacy, mediation, peacebuilding, or the political, economic, and social measures necessary to address root causes and mend societal fractures', underscoring that 'peacekeeping must not become the default or immediate response to every crisis'. This year's International Day of UN Peacekeepers is observed under the theme 'The Future of Peacekeeping'—a theme that could not be more timely or relevant. Peacekeeping today faces mounting and unprecedented challenges. Conflicts are growing longer, deadlier, and more complex. They increasingly spill across borders and are exacerbated by terrorism, organized crime, cyber warfare, disinformation, and the weaponization of technology. Climate change, meanwhile, deepens instability in already-vulnerable regions. And divergent views within the UN Security Council have made consensus more elusive — slowing the pace of action, precisely when urgency is most needed. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres bluntly put it: 'Trust is in short supply among—and within—countries and regions… This is a grim diagnosis, but we must face facts.' Among the most urgent issues is the growing and persistent mismatch between what peacekeeping missions are asked to achieve and the resources that are not available to do so. This undermines effectiveness and places peacekeepers in situations 'where there is little or no peace to keep'. The Pact for the Future, adopted at the 2024 Summit of the Future, offers a moment of reckoning—and opportunity. It affirms that peace operations can only succeed when backed by political will and accompanied by inclusive strategies that address the root causes of conflict. It rightly emphasizes the need for peacekeeping missions to be supported by predictable, adequate, and sustained financing. The Pact also mandates a comprehensive review of UN peace operations—a chance to rethink and reform the peacekeeping model. Today's high-risk environments demand that missions be equipped with the right tools, partnerships, and strategies to protect civilians and support peacebuilding effectively. Egypt, through its 65 years of active participation in United Nations peacekeeping has long demonstrated a strong, sustained and unwavering commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. Since it first deployed troops to the UN Operation in the Congo in 1960, Egypt has contributed over 30,000 of its sons and daughters to 37 missions across 24 countries and has consistently remained one of the top contributors of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping. Egypt currently has 1205 peacekeepers, including women, serving across five missions in Africa Egypt's longstanding record of service and sacrifice in peacekeeping is globally recognized. This is reflected in its re-election as Rapporteur of the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, its recent election to the UN Peacebuilding Commission, and its appointment as co-facilitator for the upcoming 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review in both the General Assembly and the Security Council. Egypt's leadership in peacekeeping is not limited to troop contributions. It plays an active role in shaping strategic thinking around reform. Through the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA)—an African Union Center of Excellence. Egypt has championed context-sensitive, innovative, and inclusive peace operations. The CCCPA emphasizes prevention, civilian protection, and regional partnerships while strengthening the participation of women in peacekeeping, in line with the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Through the CCCPA annual Aswan Forum, Egypt further promotes African-led solutions and stronger peacekeeping–peacebuilding synergies. This work, carried out in close cooperation with the UN in Egypt, is a prime example of effective South-South cooperation and the value of locally driven solutions. Egypt also actively contributes to training African and international uniformed peacekeepers through specialized facilities operated by the Ministry of Interior via the Egyptian Center for Peacekeeping Operations, and by the Ministry of Defense through its Liaison Agency with International Organizations (LAWIO). Egypt is also a staunch supporter of the UN Secretary-General's Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative. In 2018, Egypt convened a landmark high-level international conference aimed at improving peacekeeping effectiveness. The event led to the 'Cairo Roadmap for Peacekeeping Operations,' a concrete framework of shared commitments that was later endorsed by the African Union in 2020. This year, as we remember the 4,430 peacekeepers who have given their lives in the pursuit of peace, we must go beyond commemoration by upholding the principles for which they paid the ultimate sacrifice. Over 60 Egyptian peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives while serving as part of UN operations across the globe. Their sacrifice is a sobering reminder of the growing risks peacekeepers face, and our collective duty to ensure they are provided with the necessary means to fulfill their mandates. At the recently concluded 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin this May, Egypt reaffirmed its strong commitment to advancing UN peacekeeping through planned deployments, the preparation of well-trained officers, and expanded training efforts. It pledged to provide specialized capabilities, deploy qualified personnel to UN missions, and enhance training in coordination with international partners. Egypt also highlighted the importance of integrating technology, drawing on lessons from regional transitions, and promoting gender parity—underscoring its intention to surpass the UN's targets for women's participation in uniformed roles. As the United Nations continues to face significant challenges and in the context of a region affected by multiple conflicts, Egypt has stood firm as a staunch and reliable partner to global peace and security. Furthermore, Egypt has expressed its readiness to provide all necessary support for the UN80 initiative this year in order to help make it a success to achieve effectiveness and rationalization to help meet the acute financial challenges faced by the United Nations and peacekeeping. In that regard, Egypt's readiness and preparedness to host United Nations' agencies, programs and offices that might be up for relocation as per the UN80 initiative is to be highly commended. Egypt's strategic location—at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East—positions it as a natural hub for connectivity and cooperation. Its central time zone and proximity to key regions make it an ideal and cost-effective location, reducing travel time and facilitating seamless coordination. With direct access to both the Red Sea and the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal – a vital artery of global trade – Egypt offers unmatched maritime connectivity. It's highly connected international airports and geographical proximity to conflict zones further enhances its relevance as a center for diplomacy, crisis response and peacekeeping efforts. Egypt's vast experience with peacekeeping and related provision of humanitarian assistance are certainly also worth highlighting as advantageous. As host to multiple international and regional organizations and offices including the seat of the League of Arab States and with over 140 represented embassies in Cairo, Egypt remains a geo-political hub with an already strong United Nations' presence, a modern infrastructure, and well-recognized levels of safety. As the Secretary-General has said: 'Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations—and the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today's realities and tomorrow's challenges.' Peacekeeping missions are under strain. However, with renewed multilateral resolve, adequate resourcing, and bold reforms, we can empower UN peacekeepers to remain a vital force for peace, stability, and hope in a troubled world, and Egypt, in cooperation with the United Nations remains at the forefront of nations providing such support. Joint Op-ed by Ambassador Khaled El Bakly, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs for Multilateral & International Security Affairs Elena Panova, UN Egypt Resident Coordinator
See - Sada Elbalad
29-05-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Standing Between Conflict and Hope: Time to Equip UN Peacekeepers for Tomorrow's Challenges
Joint Op-ed by Ambassador Khaled El Bakly & Elena Panova As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, the legacy of UN peacekeeping stands as one of the clearest and most enduring expressions of multilateral cooperation. For nearly eight decades, the service and sacrifice of Blue Helmets have saved and changed lives—helping countries navigate the difficult path from war to peace. From Cyprus to Lebanon, and from the Central African Republic to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, more than 76,000 civilian, military, and police personnel currently serve in 11 missions around the world. These men and women offer a lifeline to millions living in some of the world's most fragile political and security environments. In light of these growing pressures, it is essential to rethink the role of peacekeeping within the broader international peace and security architecture. As President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has rightly asserted 'peacekeeping—while a vital tool of the international community—should not be viewed as the sole means of maintaining peace'. H.E further emphasized that 'it cannot substitute preventive diplomacy, mediation, peacebuilding, or the political, economic, and social measures necessary to address root causes and mend societal fractures', underscoring that 'peacekeeping must not become the default or immediate response to every crisis'. This year's International Day of UN Peacekeepers is observed under the theme 'The Future of Peacekeeping'—a theme that could not be more timely or relevant. Peacekeeping today faces mounting and unprecedented challenges. Conflicts are growing longer, deadlier, and more complex. They increasingly spill across borders and are exacerbated by terrorism, organized crime, cyber warfare, disinformation, and the weaponization of technology. Climate change, meanwhile, deepens instability in already-vulnerable regions. And divergent views within the UN Security Council have made consensus more elusive — slowing the pace of action, precisely when urgency is most needed. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres bluntly put it: 'Trust is in short supply among—and within—countries and regions… This is a grim diagnosis, but we must face facts.' Among the most urgent issues is the growing and persistent mismatch between what peacekeeping missions are asked to achieve and the resources that are not available to do so. This undermines effectiveness and places peacekeepers in situations 'where there is little or no peace to keep'. The Pact for the Future, adopted at the 2024 Summit of the Future, offers a moment of reckoning—and opportunity. It affirms that peace operations can only succeed when backed by political will and accompanied by inclusive strategies that address the root causes of conflict. It rightly emphasizes the need for peacekeeping missions to be supported by predictable, adequate, and sustained financing. The Pact also mandates a comprehensive review of UN peace operations—a chance to rethink and reform the peacekeeping model. Today's high-risk environments demand that missions be equipped with the right tools, partnerships, and strategies to protect civilians and support peacebuilding effectively. Egypt, through its 65 years of active participation in United Nations peacekeeping has long demonstrated a strong, sustained and unwavering commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. Since it first deployed troops to the UN Operation in the Congo in 1960, Egypt has contributed over 30,000 of its sons and daughters to 37 missions across 24 countries and has consistently remained one of the top contributors of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping. Egypt currently has 1205 peacekeepers, including women, serving across five missions in Africa Egypt's longstanding record of service and sacrifice in peacekeeping is globally recognized. This is reflected in its re-election as Rapporteur of the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, its recent election to the UN Peacebuilding Commission, and its appointment as co-facilitator for the upcoming 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review in both the General Assembly and the Security Council. Egypt's leadership in peacekeeping is not limited to troop contributions. It plays an active role in shaping strategic thinking around reform. Through the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA)—an African Union Center of Excellence. Egypt has championed context-sensitive, innovative, and inclusive peace operations. The CCCPA emphasizes prevention, civilian protection, and regional partnerships while strengthening the participation of women in peacekeeping, in line with the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Through the CCCPA annual Aswan Forum, Egypt further promotes African-led solutions and stronger peacekeeping–peacebuilding synergies. This work, carried out in close cooperation with the UN in Egypt, is a prime example of effective South-South cooperation and the value of locally driven solutions. Egypt also actively contributes to training African and international uniformed peacekeepers through specialized facilities operated by the Ministry of Interior via the Egyptian Center for Peacekeeping Operations, and by the Ministry of Defense through its Liaison Agency with International Organizations (LAWIO). Egypt is also a staunch supporter of the UN Secretary-General's Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative. In 2018, Egypt convened a landmark high-level international conference aimed at improving peacekeeping effectiveness. The event led to the 'Cairo Roadmap for Peacekeeping Operations,' a concrete framework of shared commitments that was later endorsed by the African Union in 2020. This year, as we remember the 4,430 peacekeepers who have given their lives in the pursuit of peace, we must go beyond commemoration by upholding the principles for which they paid the ultimate sacrifice. Over 60 Egyptian peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives while serving as part of UN operations across the globe. Their sacrifice is a sobering reminder of the growing risks peacekeepers face, and our collective duty to ensure they are provided with the necessary means to fulfill their mandates. At the recently concluded 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin this May, Egypt reaffirmed its strong commitment to advancing UN peacekeeping through planned deployments, the preparation of well-trained officers, and expanded training efforts. It pledged to provide specialized capabilities, deploy qualified personnel to UN missions, and enhance training in coordination with international partners. Egypt also highlighted the importance of integrating technology, drawing on lessons from regional transitions, and promoting gender parity—underscoring its intention to surpass the UN's targets for women's participation in uniformed roles. As the United Nations continues to face significant challenges and in the context of a region affected by multiple conflicts, Egypt has stood firm as a staunch and reliable partner to global peace and security. Furthermore, Egypt has expressed its readiness to provide all necessary support for the UN80 initiative this year in order to help make it a success to achieve effectiveness and rationalization to help meet the acute financial challenges faced by the United Nations and peacekeeping. In that regard, Egypt's readiness and preparedness to host United Nations' agencies, programs and offices that might be up for relocation as per the UN80 initiative is to be highly commended. Egypt's strategic location—at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East—positions it as a natural hub for connectivity and cooperation. Its central time zone and proximity to key regions make it an ideal and cost-effective location, reducing travel time and facilitating seamless coordination. With direct access to both the Red Sea and the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal - a vital artery of global trade - Egypt offers unmatched maritime connectivity. It's highly connected international airports and geographical proximity to conflict zones further enhances its relevance as a center for diplomacy, crisis response and peacekeeping efforts. Egypt's vast experience with peacekeeping and related provision of humanitarian assistance are certainly also worth highlighting as advantageous. As host to multiple international and regional organizations and offices including the seat of the League of Arab States and with over 140 represented embassies in Cairo, Egypt remains a geo-political hub with an already strong United Nations' presence, a modern infrastructure, and well-recognized levels of safety. As the Secretary-General has said: 'Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations—and the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today's realities and tomorrow's challenges.' Peacekeeping missions are under strain. 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Newsweek
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Pakistan Issues India Ultimatum Following Airstrikes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Pakistan has issued a warning to India, demanding an end to its military operations or risk further escalation following Indian airstrikes under 'Operation Sindoor' in response to the killing of tourists in Kashmir. Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Pakistan is "willing to wrap up these things" if India halts its actions, but cautioned, "If India attacks, we'll respond." The ultimatum was delivered alongside a formal protest lodged with India's Charge-d'Affaires in Islamabad, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to address the nation after an emergency meeting of top military and civilian officials. Newsweek reached out to the Pakistani government for comment. Why It Matters Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors ratcheted up after gunmen massacred 26 people, mostly Indian tourists, in Indian-controlled Kashmir last month. India responded by striking nine targets inside Pakistan, saying they were used to plan the attack. Pakistan has denied this, stating Indian strikes hit civilian areas and violated its sovereignty. With each side accusing the other of aggression and mobilizing their armed forces, the region faces its most volatile moment in years. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif addresses the Summit of the Future, in the United Nations General Assembly, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif addresses the Summit of the Future, in the United Nations General Assembly, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Richard Drew/AP Photo What to Know In a televised interview with Bloomberg, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif stressed that Pakistan does not seek to escalate the crisis but will defend itself if necessary. "We have been saying all along the last fortnight that we will never initiate anything hostile toward India. But if India attacks, we'll respond," Asif said. He called India's strikes a violation of sovereignty but added, "If India backs down, we'll definitely wrap up these things." His remarks suggest Pakistan is leaving space for a diplomatic off-ramp—provided India ends its offensive. India Targets Terror Camps India launched airstrikes on Wednesday targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Strikes reportedly hit locations in Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Muzaffarabad. India claims the targets were involved in planning the April 22 Pahalgam bombing that killed more that 25 civilians. Pakistan Responds In response, Pakistani security officials said the country launched retaliatory strikes, though they did not provide further details. In a statement, Pakistan's Prime Minister said that "Pakistan has every right to give a robust response to this act of war imposed by India, and a strong response is indeed being given." The U.S. State Department told Newsweek that it was monitoring an "evolving situation" and that there was no further assessment to offer at this time. The Pentagon told Newsweek it did not wish to comment further on the reports. Pakistani paramilitary stand guard outside a gate of a complex close to the site of a suspected Indian missile attack, in Muridke, a town in Pakistan's Punjab province, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Pakistani paramilitary stand guard outside a gate of a complex close to the site of a suspected Indian missile attack, in Muridke, a town in Pakistan's Punjab province, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. K.M. Chaudary/AP Photo What People Are Saying Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan's Defence Minister warned: "If India backs down, we'll definitely wrap up these things... These are not hostile acts—we are just defending our territory." India's Defense Ministry, in a statement: "Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistan military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution." U.S. President Donald Trump, said in the Oval Office: "They have been fighting for many, many decades, and centuries if you really think about it. I just hope it ends very quickly." What Happens Next Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to deliver a national address outlining Pakistan's response strategy. The situation remains volatile, with any further military action likely to trigger a wider crisis.
Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Pakistan minister urges international probe of Kashmir attack, NYT reports
FILE PHOTO: Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif addresses the \"Summit of the Future\" in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs/File Photo Chairs and tables are scattered at the site of a suspected militant attack on tourists in Baisaran near Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, April 24, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi Pakistan believes an international investigation is needed into the killing of 26 men at a tourist spot in Indian Kashmir this week and is willing to work with international investigators, the New York Times reported on Friday, quoting Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif. Asif told the newspaper in an interview that Pakistan was 'ready to cooperate' with 'any investigation which is conducted by international inspectors.' India has said there were Pakistani elements to the attack on Tuesday, but Islamabad has denied any involvement. The two countries both claim the mountainous region but each controls only part of it. Since the attack, the nuclear-armed nations have unleashed a raft of measures against each other, with India putting the critical Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and Pakistan closing its airspace to Indian airlines. Asif told the newspaper that India had used the aftermath of the militant attack as a pretext to suspend the water treaty and for domestic political purposes. India, was taking steps to punish Pakistan "without any proof, without any investigation," he added. "We do not want this war to flare up, because flaring up of this war can cause disaster for this region," Asif told the newspaper. A little-known militant group, Kashmir Resistance, claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media message. Indian security agencies say Kashmir Resistance, also known as The Resistance Front, is a front for Pakistan-based militant organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. Asif disputed that allegation in the interview. He said Lashkar-e-Taiba was 'defunct' and had no ability to plan or conduct attacks from Pakistan-controlled territory. "They don't have any setup in Pakistan," he said, according to the newspaper. "Those people, whatever is left of them, they are contained. Some of them are under house arrest, some of them are in custody. They are not at all active," the official said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
