UNSC session on Kashmir is Pakistan's diplomatic achievement: FM Qureshi

UNSC last discussed Kashmir in 1971, except for a cursory mention in 1998 following Pakistan's nuclear tests

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday hailed Pakistan's 'landmark diplomatic achievement' of securing a discussion on Kashmir in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) after four decades.

In an interview with Pakistan's state-owned broadcaster, the foreign minister said the UNSC had last discussed Kashmir in 1971, except for a cursory mention in 1998 following Pakistan's nuclear tests, reported Radio Pakistan.

He said India opposed any discussion on the matter in the UNSC but its concerns had been dismissed.

"The world needs to realise that this issue is greater than a piece of land between two countries. This is an issue of humanity," he said.

 

Kashmir under siege as Pakistan moves UNSC

"India has placed a complete clampdown on the movement of Kashmiris. There are reports of food and medicine shortages but no international observers or media organisations are being allowed to visit IOK."

FM Qureshi said New Delhi was bent on carrying out a genocide of Muslims to achieve its aim of changing the demographic composition of Kashmir.

The foreign minister said he had discussed India's brutal actions in IOK with his counterpart from Poland, which holds the UNSC presidency at present.

On Wednesday, he spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the phone to inform him about the humanitarian crisis in IOK.

Qureshi said the Indian government, through its unconstitutional steps, was trying to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory and its unilateral measures were not only against the UN Security Council resolutions but also violated international laws.

He added that New Delhi's move of stripping the disputed territory of its semi-autonomous status could prove to be a severe threat to the peace and stability of the region.

Qureshi informed his Russian counterpart about the difficulties being faced by the residents of the occupied valley because of the continuous curfew and communications blockade imposed there by the Indian government since August 5.

FM Lavrov said Russia was closely monitoring the situation and stressed the need for Islamabad and New Delhi to resolve outstanding issues through dialogue.