News Desk |
Prime Minister Imran Khan appraised the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman over the situation prevailing across the region after India’s unlawful action of revoking the special constitutional status of Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK).
The premier spoke to Prince Mohammad bin Salman over the phone on Tuesday, and the two leaders discussed the regional situation. The Saudi Press Agency reported, “During the call, they discussed the development of the situation in the region and efforts exerted towards it.”
Pakistan has downgraded all diplomatic ties with India, alongside suspending bilateral trade and closing a corridor of its airspace for Indian carriers.
The SPA noted, “HRH the Crown Prince was also briefed by the Pakistani Prime Minister on the latest developments in Kashmir.”
On Monday, the Modi-led government abolished Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which provided special rights to the people of occupied Jammu & Kashmir. In the aftermath of this unlawful measure, Pakistan began its diplomatic efforts to muster international support against India.
Read more: In plain words: What are Articles 370 and 35-A?
Diplomatic Efforts against India
Prime Minister Imran Khan, alongside Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other senior diplomats, has been actively engaged in efforts of diplomatic engagement. After India’s decision to scrape away the Article 370, the premier had telephonic conversations with Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan, and the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Mahathir bin Mohammad.
The premier reiterated that Pakistan will continue to provide political, diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmir struggle for their right to self-determination, as embodied in the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSC).
The premier spoke to Prince Mohammad bin Salman over the phone on Tuesday, and the two leaders discussed the regional situation.
Prime Minister Khan said, “This illegal move by India would deteriorate the peace and security of the region and would further undermine the relations between two neighbours with strategic capabilities,” as per the press release shared by the PM Office.
The leaders of Malaysia and Turkey have assured Pakistan of their support in this conflict. A press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office noted, “President Erdogan shared the concerns on the developing situation in the Indian Occupied Kashmir and assured of Turkey’s steadfast support in this regard.”
With regards to Prime Minister Khan’s conversation with the Malaysian Prime Minister, the PM Office noted, “Prime Minister Mahathir said that Malaysia was closely monitoring the situation in the Indian Occupied Kashmir and would remain in touch. He added that he was also looking forward to meeting the Prime Minister on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.”
Read more: Mockery of Democracy: Indians Criticize Revocation of Article 370
Earlier this week, on 6th August, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi attended an Emergency Meeting of OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir. The members of the OIC and Foreign Minister Qureshi highlighted the concerns of the Muslim community over the heightening atrocities in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said, “Pakistan asks the OIC to show solidarity through action with the people of IoK by recognizing that this unilateral step by India was against the very status of IoK as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.”
Pakistan asks the OIC to show solidarity through action with the people of IoK by recognizing that this unilateral step by India was against the very status of IoK as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. 2/3
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 6, 2019
Qureshi added, “OIC recognizes that this aggression puts more than 1.5 billion people of South Asia at risk. I reiterated Pakistan’s stance on the peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute and that India’s hostility doesn’t give me much hope for a covenant for peace.”
OIC recognizes that this aggression puts more than 1.5 billion people of South Asia at risk. I reiterated Pakistan’s stance on the peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute and that India’s hostility doesn’t give me much hope for a covenant for peace. 3/3
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 6, 2019
UK Voices Concern to India
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan had a telephonic discussion with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, and apprised him on the situation of Kashmir after India’s decision to scrape away the special constitutional status of the occupied valley.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, alongside Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other senior diplomats, has been actively engaged in efforts of diplomatic engagement.
A Downing Street spokesperson stated, “The leaders discussed the serious situation in Kashmir and agreed on the importance of maintaining dialogue.” The premier also congratulated Boris Johnson on assuming the prime ministerial office. The two leaders also “underlined their continued commitment to the bilateral relationship between the UK and Pakistan”.
Reuters reported that Britain’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab spoke to the Indian Foreign Minister, S Jaishankar on Wednesday, and expressed concern over the situation prevailing in the disputed territory of Kashmir.
Read more: Revocation of Article 370: Violation of UNSC, Indian Constitution & Victory for RSS Ideology?
Raab said, “I have spoken to the Indian Foreign Minister. We’ve expressed some of our concerns around the situation and called for calm, but also had a clear readout of the situation from the perspective of the Indian government.”
Pakistan has downgraded all diplomatic ties with India, alongside suspending bilateral trade and closing a corridor of its airspace for Indian carriers. A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) noted, “Pursuant to the decision of the National Security Committee today, the Government of India has been told to withdraw its High Commissioner to Pakistan.”
MoFA added, “The Indian Government has also been informed that Pakistan will not be sending its High Commissioner-designate to India.”