People of IIOJK awaiting right to self-determination, FM Qureshi reminds UN

Foreign Minister Shah Qureshi reminded the United Nations on Tuesday that the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) were still waiting for the fulfilment of the commitment made to them by the organisation for their right of sel-determination. 

Addressing the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations via video link, the foreign minister said the disputes of IIOJK and Palestine were the UN's most glaring and long-standing failures.  

Referring to the UN's role he said it addressed a historic need "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war"; to reaffirm equal and fundamental rights of men and women and nations large and small, and to promote better life.

“Today the UN resolutions and decisions are flouted; international cooperation, especially in the Security Council, is at its lowest; force is threatened with abandon; critical treaties and covenants, designed to promote the development and protect the globe's fragile environment, are discarded,” the foreign minister stated.

FM Qureshi further pointed out that the very forces that led to the Second World War – racism and fascism – are taking the shape of rising xenophobia and Islamophobia.

“While we have seen enormous international cooperation to combat Covid-19, it has failed to unify humanity as it could have,” he added.

Highlighting Pakistan's contributions to the world body, he said Pakistan remains an ardent believer in multilateralism and the indispensability of the United Nations and has contributed over 200,000 troops to 47 Missions in 26 countries, losing 157 troops in the process.

Pakistan has also hosted the largest protracted refugee population, he added.