PM Imran hails US senators for ‘continued active interest’ in Kashmir crisis

Senator Van Hollen acknowledges sacrifices of Pakistani soldiers after witnessing development work in Miran Shah

Prime Minister Imran Khan has appreciated a high-level Congressional delegation of the United States who visited Azad and Jammu Kashmir (AJK) a day earlier for their "continued active interest in the volatile situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK)".

The two visiting US senators, Christopher Van Hollen and Margaret C Hassan, called on Premier Imran at the PM Office in Islamabad on Monday, an official statement said.

Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI met US Senators Maggie Hassan and Senator Chris Van Hollen at PM Office.#PTI pic.twitter.com/VVASmYBRC9

— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 7, 2019

The US Congress delegation who was recently denied permission to visit Occupied Kashmir by the Indian government visited Muzaffarabad, the capital of AJK, to “have first-hand information and an in-depth assessment” of the evolving situation in the disputed region after New Delhi revoked its special status on August 5 along with imposing curfew and communications blockade.

“The ongoing lockdown in Occupied Kashmir for over two months, refusal of Indian authorities to lift the curfew, and acute shortage of basic necessities including medicine and food to the people incarcerated in the largest prison on earth were grave violations of the fundamental human rights and international humanitarian law,” the prime minister was cited as saying.



It was critical for the international community to raise their voice for respect of the rights and freedoms of the people in Occupied Kashmir, read the statement quoting the prime minister. “The international community must also take cognizance of the grave consequences of Indian actions for regional peace and stability and should act immediately.”

The communique added that the visit also provided an opportunity to exchange views on strengthening Pakistan-US ties and the Afghan peace and reconciliation process.

PM Imran said that the relationship between Islamabad and Washington was based on mutual trust and partnership for peace while the senators affirmed that they would work for a broad-based and long-term relationship with enhanced trade ties between the two countries, according to the official statement.

While discussing the regional situation, PM Imran said: "Both Pakistan and the US has a shared interest in advancing peace and stability in Afghanistan."

He also reiterated Pakistan’s continued commitment to facilitation of a political solution in Afghanistan while underlining the importance of earliest resumption of the US-Taliban peace talks.

Islamabad on Friday in a major diplomatic breakthrough arranged the first direct meeting between US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban delegation since President Trump abruptly pulled out of talks last month.

Senator Van Hollen, who also visited Miran Shah on October 5, appreciated the development work in the area and acknowledged the sacrifices of Pakistani soldiers and civilians as part of its successful drive against the menace of terrorism, the statement added.

On Sunday, the two US senators had held meetings with AJK President Sardar Masood Khan and Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider and shared concerns over the current humanitarian situation caused by Indian actions. They also expressed their resolve to continue to remain engaged on the issue.