News Desk |
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, on Sunday, underscored that norms of international relations dictate that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other countries have a right to establish and maintain bilateral relations based on their choices.
Addressing the media on UAE’s highest civilian award presented to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said, “Religious sentiments do not influence international relations. India and the UAE has a history marked with economic investment.”
He continued, “However, soon I will hold a meeting with the foreign minister of the UAE to apprise him about the ongoing situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir.”
Sinister BJP-RSS Agendas
Apprising the press of the BJP-RSS agendas in Indian-occupied Kashmir, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi noted that after deploying an unprecedented number of additional Indian troops to the occupied region, New Delhi is now strategizing to dispatch workers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to Kashmir.
The Iranian leadership has spoken up for the rights of the people of Kashmir. I have been in touch with multiple foreign ministers of Muslim countries, and I will continue engaging with others.
The Foreign Minister urged the international community to break its silence over New Delhi’s brutality. He informed the press that on 9th September, he will be attending a human rights meeting in Geneva, where he will apprise the global community over the ongoing atrocities in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
Foreign Minister Qureshi noted that the US is willing to play its role as a mediator to resolve the Kashmir dispute with a political solution; however, India remains stubborn in rejecting the US offer for mediation. He urged the Supreme Court of India to decide the seven petitions file against the abolition of Kashmir’s special constitutional leader without succumbing to the fear and pressure created by the Modi administration.
Qureshi said, “Any delays by the Indian Supreme Court’s decision on the Kashmir issue will be regarded as a violation of fundamental human rights and a murder of justice.”
The Foreign Minister informed the press of his letter to the United Nations Commission for Human Rights, urging the global body to dispatch its representatives to the occupied valley in order to monitor the ongoing situation and play its mandated role in curbing human rights violations.
Read more: Kashmir on Lockdown: India revealed as a Barbaric Oppressor
He said, “We welcome the commission to visit Azad Kashmir. The world community cannot maintain its silence over the Kashmir dispute, and we urged the UN Commission for Human Rights to organize a visit to Indian-occupied Kashmir immediately.”
Muslim Leaders must Act
Foreign Minister Qureshi urged the leaders of Muslim countries and representatives of the international human rights organizations to convene a meeting to discuss the ongoing situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir. He urged the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the leaders of Muslim countries to take notice of the shutdown of mosques in the occupied valley. He said, “Muslims in Kashmir cannot offer the Friday prayer, and on Eid-ul Azha, they were forbidden from sacrificing animals.”
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi observed that despite New Delhi’s attempts to alert the ground realities with propaganda and rhetoric, the international community has recognized Kashmir as a disputed territory, and India’s abolishment of Kashmir’s special status as an unconstitutional move, and a violation of UNSC resolutions.
He said, “Presently, Malaysia, Turkey and all Islamic nations are in support of Pakistan’s narrative. The Iranian leadership has spoken up for the rights of the people of Kashmir. I have been in touch with multiple foreign ministers of Muslim countries, and I will continue engaging with others. I believe that the Muslim world will rise in support of the Kashmiri struggle, and play a role in bringing an end to Indian brutality across the occupied valley.”
Chauvinist Modi Stopped Opposition Leaders
Foreign Minister Qureshi condemned the decision to stop the delegation of opposition leaders led by Rahul Gandhi as a “chauvinist” move from the Modi administration, and observed that it has uncovered the true face of the façade of democracy in India.
Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani had cancelled his scheduled visit to the United Arab Emirates a day after the UAE awarded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with its highest civilian award.
He said, “If they are not doing anything wrong in Kashmir, why did the Modi government stop Indian politicians from entering? Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also questioned that if there is nothing to hide, what is the reason behind blocking the roads?”
The Foreign Minister noted that Modi administration’s decision to abolish Kashmir’s constitutional status has created divisions across India, while it has provided Pakistan with an opportunity to unite as a nation.
Pakistanis Angered by UAE
Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed observed that the leadership of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Middle Eastern states has angered Pakistanis and irked the nation with their callous attitude towards the plight of the Kashmiri Muslims.
Addressing a gathering organized by the Muslim Conference, an AJK-based political party, on Sunday, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said, “We must provide in the international community that Pakistan has rejected the attitude of some Middle Eastern rules.”
Read more: UAE awards Modi: Time to revisit Pakistan foreign policy preferences?
He added, ‘Even if the rulers of the Middle East do not support us, it is important to note that the people of the Middle East continue to support us.”
Earlier on Sunday, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani had cancelled his scheduled visit to the United Arab Emirates a day after the UAE awarded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with its highest civilian award.