Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, on Tuesday, reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to continue facilitating the Afghan reconciliation process, despite the aggravated tensions with India and the heightened human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK).
Pakistan Supports Afghan Peace
Addressing a seminar to participants of PILDAT Course on Pakistan’s Foreign Policy in a Changing World, held in Islamabad, the Foreign Minister stated that the peace process between the United States and the Afghan Taliban is headed towards the right direction.
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He said, “Hopes appear to have dimmed for the people of occupied Kashmir, but there is hope for the people of Afghanistan.”
Foreign Minister Qureshi also restated Pakistan’s position on the issue of Indian-occupied Kashmir, reiterating that Islamabad will continue to highlight New Delhi’s unlawful actions of forcefully annexing the disputed Himalayan territory and oppressing Kashmir Muslims with an unprecedented crackdown on international forums.
The two ministers agreed to remain engaged and to join forces to work towards regional peace and stability.
The Foreign Minister reiterated statements made by Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Pakistan Army, underscoring that if India chose the path of aggression and misadventures, Pakistan is fully prepared to defend itself.
Humanitarian Disaster in Kashmir
As the security lockdown enters its 30th day in Indian-occupied Kashmir, the Foreign Minister expressed concerns at the oppressive tactics deployed against innocent civilians across the occupied valley. He said, “The valley has suffered four weeks of no medicines, no healthcare, no schools, no phone or internet links and no access to basic facilities.”
Qureshi continued, “Thousands of Kashmiris have been arrested, young boys are being picked up from their homes, patients are being denied medical services, and pellet guns have been deployed to quell protests.”
Trilateral between #Pakistan, #China and #Afghanistan to be held on Saturday, To discuss Afghan peace process, #Chinese and #Afghanistan Foreign Ministers to be in #Islamabad , #SaudiArabia and #UAE FMs also will both come to Islamabad tomorrow https://t.co/RrWFeperbG pic.twitter.com/iRT13hRgRO
— Ghulam Abbas Shah (@ghulamabbasshah) September 3, 2019
Condemning New Delhi’s oppressive tactics to undermine the agitation against its unlawful move of 5th August in Kashmir, the Foreign Minister said, “This nature of brutality stands unparalleled across the modern world, and is escalating into a humanitarian crisis.”
Qureshi quoted the remarks made by Indian leaders, who had regarded the security lockdown on the disputed Himalayan territory as a “historic betrayal.”
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The Foreign Minister emphasized that multiple international forums have stepped forward to highlight the deteriorating situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir, including the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Human Rights Watch (HRW), the British Parliament and the European Union (EU).
Commenting on the developments of the Kartarpur Corridor, Foreign Minister Qureshi noted that India and Pakistan continue to partake in talks over the developments, and initiatives to facilitate the pilgrimage of the Sikh community.
He also discussed the benefits and prospects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), terming it as “an anchor of regional stability.”
Engagement with Foreign Minister of Ireland
Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had a telephonic conversation with the Foreign Minister of Iceland, Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson, to apprise him on the ongoing situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
A press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this regard stated, “The Foreign Minister highlighted the illegal and unilateral steps taken by India to change the disputed status of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and its demographic structure.”
Khalilzad says the US wants to have better relations with Pakistan and that the relations between the two countries have improved.
He says that improvement in US-Pakistan relations has helped progress in the Afghan peace process. pic.twitter.com/SlLNBYt4ib
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) September 2, 2019
“He added that these steps were against the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and the International Law. He underlined that the actions taken by India posed a grave risk for peace and security in the region.”
The Foreign Minister apprised his Icelandic counterpart on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Indian-occupied Kashmir. MoFA stated, “The Foreign Minister highlighted the severe hardships faced by the people of the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir in the face of the unprecedented lockdown of the entire population.”
The press release added, “The Foreign Minister also apprised of the dire human rights and humanitarian situation and Pakistan’s deep concerns about safety and security of the people in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, under unabated curfew since 05 August 2019.”
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Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi underscored the significance of the international community playing a role in eliminating the longstanding suffering of the oppressed people of Kashmir, and ushering a peaceful resolution to the decades-long Kashmir dispute.
Foreign Minister Thordarson expressed his concerns. MoFA noted his response, “Foreign Minister Thordarson expressed concern on the human rights situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and urged both India and Pakistan to resolve the issue through peaceful means.”
The two ministers agreed to remain engaged and to join forces to work towards regional peace and stability.