ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Mohammad Birjees Tahir on Sunday acknowledged that Pal
However, he said the international community and the TTnitorl Natione (TTN) harl alenfailed to play their role in resolving the issue.

The minister was addressing a press conference in connection with the `Black Day` being observed against the entry of Indian forces in Srinagar on October 27, 1948.

The minister said if the matter lingered on without any direction, it might lead to a conflict and violence in the region.

`Pakistan is interested in resolving the Kashmir issue with India through negotiations, but New Delhi has notonly been deceiving the international community and the UN but also backtracking on the commitments made by its own leaders,` he said.

`I fear that the patience of Kashmiris will run out and there could be even more tensions in the region if the Indian attitude did not change,` he said.

Since the day Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressed the UN General Assembly highlighting the Kashmir issue, India has been creating turmoil at the LOC and at the border with Pakistan, he added. The minister said the Indian leadership should not underestimate the armed forces of Pakistan and the Pakistani nation`s commitment towards Kashmir.

`We may look divided over various other issues but in case of any venture by India, the Pakistani nation stands united lil(e a steel wall,` the minister said.

He criticised the international community and the world powers for not helping settle the dispute as it was done in many parts of the world, including East Timur and Sudan.

Meanwhile, talking to the media, the minister acknowledged that despite the passage of many decades GilgitBaltistan was still facing an identity issue.

He said his ministry was working with the government of Gilgit-Baltistan to devise a mechanism for holding elections in the area after the term of the incumbent government expires in December.

`We have asked the GB administration to forward their proposals to establish an election commission,` Mr Tahir said.