Islamabad: British parliamentarian Debbie Abrahams – who is chair of the All Party Parliamentary Kashmir Group (APPKG) in the British House of Commons – on Wednesday said Pakistan's stance on the Kashmir issue reflected the country's openness and progressive approach to the dispute, expressing hope that India would "reciprocate".

A delegation of the APPKG, which is an independent group of parliamentarians from the United Kingdom, was scheduled to visit both sides of the Line of Control to evaluate the human rights situation in the region, Dawn reported.

However, in a surprise move by Indian authorities, the British MP along with her delegation was denied entry into the country two days ago despite having a valid visa.

Speaking in Islamabad alongside Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and British MP Imran Hussain, Abrahams welcomed the Pakistan Foreign Minister’s stance on having a third UN report issued on human rights violations along both sides of the LoC, adding that it showed the openness and progressive approach taken by Pakistan on this issue. "I hope India will reciprocate as well."

When asked what practical measures the group will undertake to end repression in the valley, she replied:

"Please don’t be under any illusion we are not doing that. Last week, I met with the British foreign minister […] and I know my conservative colleagues who are part of this delegation will also be reporting back to their parties.

"What is going on in Jammu & Kashmir has not gone unnoticed. We are not here for a sightseeing trip, to look at what is happening and to do nothing. We are constantly raising this [...] we hope in addition to what we are doing through our government, the international community as a whole will realise that human rights is a priority and that priorities are not just about trade."

Meanwhile, the foreign minister, replying to a question from a reporter, said the Kashmir issue was not an "internal matter" as had been claimed by the Indian government.

"It was answered very well by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres [during his visit to Pakistan] when he categorically said that the Security Council resolutions are as relevant now as they used to be before," Qureshi said in response to a reporter's question.

"It is an internationally recognised dispute and the UN chief endorses that. He also said that he is concerned about human rights violations […]."