PM seeks UN's help in provision of medical assistance for Kashmir unrest victims

PM Nawaz directs authorities to contact UN to provide assistance to victims especially those affected by pellets

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday directed authorities to contact United Nations for the provision of medical assistance to victims of violence in Indian-held Kashmir especially those affected by the indiscriminate use of pellets.

Following PM Nawaz's instructions, adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz wrote a letter to President Doctors Without Frontiers to immediately provide medical assistance to thousands injured in Indian-held Kashmir.



In a missive to the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders on Friday, Pakistan raised alarm over a worsening medical emergency in Indian Kashmir as fresh protests in the valley left at least two protesters dead and more than 100 injured.

A Foreign Office statement issued on Friday said the PM’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz wrote a letter to the MSF president, highlighting the “state of medical emergency” in the disputed territory due to “atrocious Indian brutalities” against “unarmed and defenceless civilians”.

The adviser requested the organisation to immediately provide medical assistance to thousands of injured Kashmiris.  He also underscored the need for eye surgeons to immediately tend to the wounded.

Meanwhile, a close aide of Prime Minister told The Express Tribune that Pakistan would also request humanitarian organisations to shift abroad all those whose treatment is not available locally.

“We will request them to shift abroad in best hospitals available anywhere in the world all those who cannot be treated locally, the official said adding, "government of Pakistan will bear all the expenses [of their treatment].”



Hundreds of Kashmiri protesters are suffering from severe eye injuries caused mainly by the use of pellet guns by Indian troops. Meanwhile, Friday’s violence by Indian forces took the death toll from nearly a month of unrest to 54, a police officer said.

Thousands of residents clashed with government forces, defying a curfew authorities extended to large parts of the IOK, including the main city of Srinagar, for the 28th straight day.