Clampdown in IOK has left millions of Kashmiris unemployed: FM Qureshi

India might try a false flag operation to divert attention from its internal turmoil, says the foreign minister

KARACHI: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday said that the six-month clampdown on Indian-Occupied Kashmir (IOK) by the Indian government had left millions of Kashmiris unemployed.

While addressing a ceremony of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Karachi, FM Qureshi said that Narendra Modi’s actions have also damaged the economic conditions in the occupied territory.

“It has caused the loss of two billion dollars to the economy in the valley and four hundred thousand people have been deprived of employment,” he said adding that the entire country was protesting which was destabilising the economy.



The foreign minister further said the international community is well aware of what is happening in IOK and apprised that he has written several letters to the president of the UN Security Council to highlight the Indian brutalities in the besieged Himalayan region.

“India might try a false flag operation to divert attention from its internal turmoil,” FM said.

He said that even though countries talk about protecting human rights and ethics but,  no practical steps are taken.

“They realise that Indian trade market is huge, so they end up taking steps which protect their own economic interests,” Qureshi said.



Talking about debt repayment, FM Qureshi informed that “the present government has repaid $10 billion in loans." He added that Pakistan has to look for a way forward now.

“We have learned a lot in a year-and-a-half. Economic stability is essential for Pakistan for it to be taken seriously in its foreign affairs,” he said. “The world is connecting its foreign policy with economic interests.”