Islamabad urges int'l community to take notice of India's illegal actions in Kashmir

FO reminded the global community that May 7 marked the 227th day of continued oppression in IOJ&K

Pakistan on Thursday once again urged the international community to take notice of the current regional situation and hold India accountable for its illegal actions which is "imperilling peace and stability in South Asia".

"We also urge the world community to work for ensuring the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people," said the Foreign Office in its weekly briefing.

The FO reminded the global community that May 7 marks the 227th day of continued oppression in IOJ&K and of the inhumane lockdown that the people of the region were put under on August 5, 2019.

Islamabad reminded the world that it is a matter of grave concern that the situation in IOJ&K continues to deteriorate under the brutal military crackdown by Indian forces.

FO Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said that since yesterday, Indian forces have once again completely shut down Internet services in the occupied valley after the life of another Kashmiri resistance fighter was taken in a "so-called encounter".

Moreover, the FO asserted, there are reports of Indian security forces firing pellet guns and live bullets on peaceful protesters, killing at least one innocent Kashmiri and wounding scores of others. "These Indian actions are highly condemnable."

"Pakistan strongly condemns the ongoing state terrorism and extra judicial killings of innocent Kashmiris in so-called 'cordon-and-search' operations in IOJ&K," stated the FO.

Farooqui underscored that despite the surge in Covid-19 cases in IOJ&K, Indian occupation forces continue their relentless campaign of oppression and brutalisation of the Kashmiri people.

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The FO maintained that innocent Kashmiris were being killed in fake encounters and "phoney cordon-and-search operations". Moreover, in an inhumane practice, even the mortal remains of those killed are not being handed over to the families of the deceased.

"Thousands of Kashmiri men, women and children are taking to the streets to protest against Indian brutalities and to let the world community know that they reject illegal Indian occupation," asserted the FO.

Pakistan upheld that India must realise that it cannot break the will of the Kashmir people and suppress their indigenous resistance movement through the use of force.

"The intensified resistance in IOJ&K is a direct consequence of Indian campaign of oppression and brutalisation of Kashmiris. We also categorically reject, once again, the baseless Indian allegations of “infiltration”, which are designed to divert attention from India’s grave human rights violations in IOJ&K and to create a pretext for “false flag” operation," maintained the FO.

Pakistan maintained that while sensitising the international community about such a possibility, it has consistently urged India to refrain from any ill-considered and irresponsible move which could have serious implications for peace and security in the region.

"We once again call upon the international community to take notice of the situation and hold India accountable for its illegal actions, which are imperiling peace and stability in South Asia."

The international community was urged to work towards ensuring a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

'United against Covid-19'

The press briefing also informed that President Arif Alvi represented Pakistan at the Special Online Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement convened by president Azerbaijan in the capacity of NAM's current chair, on the theme of “United against Covid-19”.

According to the FO, the president gave Pakistan’s perspective on measures taken at the national level to mitigate and respond to the coronavirus and socio-economic challenges arising from the pandemic.

"Pakistan’s national response includes targeted approach of containment, strengthening health system and financial support to the vulnerable individuals and small businesses."

Stressing that the crisis should be converted into an opportunity, President Alvi underscored the importance of a holistic response to Covid-19 with broader development dimensions taken, along with addressing the health system challenges, stated the FO.

Moreover, it was informed that during the past week, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held telephone conversations with his counterparts in Oman, Bahrain, Iran, Switzerland, Finland and New Zealand.

Qureshi stressed upon the need for joint bilateral efforts to mitigate the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially for  developing countries.

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In this context, he also highlighted the significance of the prime minister’s Global Initiative for Debt Relief, and the response it had garnered from international donors and financial institutions.

"In the wake of Covid-19 outbreak, and as part of the national effort, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our Missions abroad continue to provide our overseas communities with relief and assistance wherever required," maintained the FO.

She added that "repatriation of our nationals back home also continues as per the comprehensive and phased plan developed in coordination with all stakeholders."

The FO maintained that its embassies and consulates are working round the clock, seven days a week, for this relief and repatriation effort.

It was stated that as part of the fourth phase of the repatriation plan, between May 1 and 5, 2020, 1,122 Pakistani nationals were brought back from Dubai, 252 from Qatar, 111 from Bahrain, 252 from Sudan, including 214 Tablighis, 221 from Kenya, 273 from the United Kingdom, 40 from Sri Lanka, 132 from the Republic of Korea and 56 from five European countries - Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Hungary and Switzerland through six special PIA flights

In addition to this, 193 Pakistani nationals have been repatriated from India through the Wahga-Attari Crossing Point in the last few days.

From March 21 to May 6, 19,329 Pakistani nationals have been brought back from different countries around the globe.

This includes the 762 Tablighi Jamaat members stranded in different countries as well as 868 prisoners.  The number of Pakistani nationals still awaiting repatriation in different countries is 108,592.