News Desk |
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi met with foreign ambassadors of multiple states, heads of mission and members of the Diplomatic Corps to apprise them about the escalating tensions between Pakistan and India in light of the crackdown imposed in the occupied valley of Kashmir, after abolishing its constitutional privileges.
Dr. Mohammad Faisal, official spokesperson of the Foreign Office, issued a statement of the meeting chaired by the Foreign Minister with foreign diplomats and ambassadors on Thursday. Dr. Faisal said, “Foreign Minister briefs the Heads of Mission/Ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps rejecting the Indian decision to try to change the disputed status of IOK.”
Foreign Minister briefs the Heads of Mission / Ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps rejecting the Indian decision to try to change disputed status of IOK.
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 8, 2019
The MoFA spokesperson noted that during the meeting, Foreign Minister Qureshi “urged them to stop India from committing blatant violations of human rights of Kashmiri people as it has turned IOK into the largest prison in the world by deploying over 900,000 troops to subjugate 14 million Kashmiris.”
Urged them to stop India from committing blatant violations of human rights of Kashmiri people as it has turned IOK into the largest prison in the world by deploying over 900,000 troops to subjugate 14 million Kashmiris.
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 8, 2019
Pakistan to Approach UNSC
Addressing a press briefing earlier on Thursday, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi apprised the nation that Pakistan is ready to approach the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to launch a protest against India’s revocation of Article 370.
In light of the heightened human rights violations and brutal crackdown that has brought normal life to a standstill in the occupied valley, the Foreign Minister announced Pakistan’s decision to protest against India’s unlawful decision, and demand a political resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
It (Kashmir) is not the property of India or Pakistan, it belongs to the Kashmiri people.” Nehru had given “his word of honor” to abide by the decision made by the people of Kashmir.
The Foreign Minister revealed that he had spoken to the Indian External Minister, S Jaishankar, and apprised him that Islamabad has rejected New Delhi’s rhetoric, claiming that the abolishment of Article 370 is an “internal matter”. Shah Mehmood Qureshi noted that the dispute of Kashmir is internationally recognized and must be resolved as per the UNSC resolutions, urging the international body to take note of the violations committed by New Delhi.
Qureshi said, “There are multiple UNSC resolutions on this dispute and we have decided to once again, approach the UNSC in light of these resolutions.” He rejected India’s stance that the revocation of Kashmir’s special constitutional status will usher in socio-economic development for the people of the valley.
Genocide & Ethnic Cleansing
The Foreign Minister highlighted the promises and commitments made by former Indian Prime Minister and independence leader Jawaharlal Nehru with the people of Kashmir. Qureshi noted that Nehru had given multiple assurances to the valley’s inhabitants, promising them constitutional freedom, and goodwill from New Delhi. Qureshi quoted Nehru’s statement with regards to Kashmir, “It (Kashmir) is not the property of India or Pakistan, it belongs to the Kashmiri people.” Nehru had given “his word of honor” to abide by the decision made by the people of Kashmir, should they chose to remain with Pakistan after the plebiscite.
Qureshi apprised the gathering of foreign diplomats and heads of missions that the after the revocation of Articles 370 and 35A, the valley of Kashmir is under the threat of genocide and ethnic cleansing aimed to eliminate the Muslim majority.
Read more: Pakistan rejects India’s stance, ready to take matter to UN Security Council
Raising Pakistan’s suspicions of another “false-flag attack”, Qureshi said, “We are afraid that India is planning to conduct another false flag operation-Pulwama 2.”
#ShahMehmoodQureshi responded on recent lockdown in #JammuKashmir and warns the world of #Pulwama 2. pic.twitter.com/Gii3Fyqp5o
— The Centrum Media (@thecentrummedia) August 8, 2019
He noted that India will attempt to divert the attention of the world from the atrocities and human rights violations being committed in the occupied valley. He noted that presently, “there are 900,000 Indian troops in Kashmir, and it can be assumed that there is one soldier deployed outside every house.”
Qureshi questioned that barbaric curfew that is depriving the Kashmiris of their democratic right to protest, and he cautioned that when a protest occurs, the Indian troops will quell down the protestors. Criticizing the decision to deploy 900,000 troops to “walk-over” Kashmiri protestors, Qureshi questioned, “Are you going to play Holi with their blood?”
Pakistan Stands with Kashmir
Qureshi stated that India has quelled all hope of improving relations with the Kashmiris, and even those who voted from them in the past have now separated themselves from New Delhi. He noted that Pakistan is consulting its legal expert, and the Kashmir struggle for freedom will soon gain momentum.
He added that history will remember India’s unlawful decision and Pakistan will continue to support the Kashmiri people.
The Foreign Minister arrived in Beijing to meet the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, amongst other leaders. He intends to discuss the ongoing regional tensions over India’s unlawful decision.
Earlier on Thursday, Foreign Minister Qureshi had a telephonic conversation with Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commission for Human Rights. He apprised Bachelet on the escalating human rights violations in the occupied valley.
A statement issued by MoFA in this regard stated, “The Foreign Minister highlighted that the recent Indian measures are in breach of international human rights and humanitarian law and violation of several UN Security Council resolutions. He expressed particular concern at the use of banned cluster ammunition by India.”
“The Foreign Minister expressed apprehensions that the situation in IOK would flare up once recent curfew is lifted. The Foreign Minister informed the High Commissioner about the unanimous resolution adopted by the Joint Session of Parliament condemning Indian actions and upholding the just struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination.”
Later, the Foreign Minister arrived in Beijing to meet the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, amongst other leaders. He intends to discuss the ongoing regional tensions over India’s unlawful decision.
Read more: Diplomatic Support for Kashmir: Premier Engages with Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, United Kingdom & Turkey
Senior Chinese diplomat, Lijian Zhao announced his arrival on Twitter, stating, “Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mehmood Qureshi arrived in Beijing. He will meet State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi and other Chinese leaders.”
Zhao added, “The visit was arranged in a very short time. That’s why we are called iron brothers.”
Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mehmood Qureshi arrived in Beijing. He will meet State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi and other Chinese leaders. The visit was arranged in a very short time. That’s why we are called iron brothers. pic.twitter.com/RpFYD9Jbzh
— Lijian Zhao 赵立坚 (@zlj517) August 9, 2019