Occupied Kashmir, Persian Gulf tensions in focus during Qureshi’s UN visit

FM urges UNSC, UNGA to take action against barbaric treatment of Kashmiri's by Indian government

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, during a high-level meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday, discussed human rights violations in India Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and Islamabad's efforts to reduce tensions in the Persian Gulf region.

The foreign minister further highlighted the vital role being played by Islamabad in facilitating talks between the US and the Taliban.

 

Qureshi briefed Guterres about Pakistan's efforts to defuse tensions between Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United States, following the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and the missiles fired at US troops in Iraq.

He reiterated that Pakistan will promote peace and refrain from participating in any conflict, adding that the situation in the Middle East is grave, and the region cannot afford any new conflict.



"To defuse tensions and promote peace, I visited Tehran and Riyadh earlier this week and will visit Washington tomorrow," the foreign minister said in his statement.

Qureshi also lauded the UN chief for his efforts to address the gross human rights violation in occupied Kashmir.

In a statement, the foreign minister said the UN secretary-general is monitoring the situation in the occupied region, adding that several countries have raised their voice against the barbaric treatment of innocent Kashmiri's by Indian occupation forces.

FM meets UN president

Following his meeting with Secretary-General Guterres, FM Qureshi met with UN President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande to discuss regional and global issues.

Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN Munir Akram, was also present during the meeting.

The foreign minister appreciated the role of the United Nations in addressing various challenges - including climate change and poverty, and taking steps to achieve common goals of sustainable development.

FM Qureshi with UN President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.

He briefed the president about Prime Minister Imran Khan's 'Ehsaas Programme' intended to protect the welfare of the people of Pakistan.

The two also discussed developments in occupied Kashmir and Qureshi informed him that it has been 165 days since the lockdown in the region.

He said Kashmiri's have been subjected to extreme brutality for months and urged the UNSC and UNGA to play an effective role to end the human rights crisis in the disputed valley.

In his statement, the foreign minister reiterated Pakistan's support for the oppressed Kashmiri's.

"Let me also take this opportunity to address my brothers and sisters in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan will continue to serve as the voice of the oppressed Kashmiris in the world. We continue to advance their inalienable right to self-determination as provided by several Security Council resolutions."

FM urges international community to play its role

Addressing a news conference after his meeting with the UN diplomats, the foreign minister urged the international community to raise its voice against the oppression of the people of occupied Kashmir.



Qureshi further stated that international scrutiny will pressurise the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reverse its unilateral measures and stop its human rights violations, ceasefire violations and threats against Pakistan.

FM to enhance ties with China

Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Ma Zhaoxu will host a dinner in honour of Qureshi, where the two are to discuss wide-ranging cooperation between Pakistan-China.