Pakistan PM Imran Khan Dials Trump, Discusses Kashmir, Afghan Peace Process

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday held a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump and discussed with him the Afghan peace process and the Kashmir issue, his office said. "President Trump thanked the prime minister for Pakistan's efforts in facilitating this positive outcome," according to the statement.

The prime minister re-affirmed Pakistan's commitment to the advancement of the Afghan peace and reconciliation process for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. Both leaders agreed to continue to work together for the promotion of this shared objective.

Khan apprised President Trump of the current situation in Kashmir. Appreciating President Trump's continued engagement as well as mediation offer, Prime Minister Khan stressed that the US president must continue his efforts for facilitation of a peaceful solution of the Kashmir issue, the statement said.

Tensions are high in Kashmir after New Delhi on August 5 announced abrogation of provisions of Article 370 and decided to bifurcate the state into Union territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh - hours after Kashmir was placed under a total clampdown.

This came a day after, The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) held a press conference and expressed shock on the arrest of two Indian nationals in Pakistan. While addressing the media, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that the Indian authorities have informed Pakistan about the two Indian nationals who inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan sometime in 2016-17.

The Pakistan authorities are yet to respond on the issue.

Pakistani authorities on Monday had produced two Indian nationals- Prasanth Vaindam and Bari (Wari) Lal- in the court for illegally entering the country without any legal documentation. According to Pakistani media, Prasanth and Bari were apprehended from Yazman Mandi in Bahawalpur for illegally entering Pakistan.

"We hope that these two Indian nationals (Prashant & Bari Lal) are not used or they do not become victim of Pakistani propaganda. We have approached the govt of Pakistan and requested for immediate consular access," Raveesh Kumar added.