WHO urged to save 'besieged Kashmiris' amid coronavirus fears

ISLAMABAD: Jammu Kashmir Salvation Movement President Altaf Ahmed Bhat has urged the World Health Organisation (WHO) to save the lives of people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) "who are being denied health care facilities amid the coronavirus outbreak".

In a statement on Sunday, he said neither India is taking pre-cautionary measures nor providing health facilities to the people of IOJ&K "to traumatise and inflict harm" on them.

He appealed to the WHO and all international organisations to act practically, pressurise India and save the lives of besieged Kashmiris from the catastrophe of COVID-19.

Bhat said people in the occupied valley are at greater risk of being infected with highly-contagious disease and if the people are not provided with necessary medical facilities the virus "could engulf the large number of population".

Altaf Bhatt thanks Chinese government for helping Pakistan to fight against COVID-19 . PHOTO: EXPRESS

Quoting examples of developed countries, he said despite having the strong healthcare system Italy and Germany have failed to control the spread of the global epidemic, resulting in the loss of thousands of human lives.

The weak-health care system in the disputed territory is insufficient to deal with the coronavirus crisis with the lack of of medical staff and testing facilities.

The JKSM president said low internet speed in the Himalayan region is hampering the campaign to spread awareness about the COVID-19 in the region.

Indian authorities have imposed severe restrictions including the communication blockade in Occupied Kashmir since August 5 last year when they revoked the special status of the valley.

He also thanked the Chinese government for extending generous support to Pakistan in the fight against COVID-19 and sending tonnes of medical supplies to the country.