We acted late in banning airspace for IIOJK flights: FM

Qureshi says aviation ministry should take notice of flights from Sharjah to disputed territory

ISLAMABAD:

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday conceded that Pakistan had taken delayed action in restricting the use of its airspace for flights to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Addressing a press conference accompanied by Special Envoy of the Organisation of Islamic Council (OIC) on Jammu and Kashmir Yousef Aldobeay, the minister added that the aviation ministry should take notice of flights from Sharjah to IIOJK.

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Qureshi said the country was seeing a “major change” in the people of IIOJK.

“What India did at [late Hurriyat leader] Syed Ali Geelani’s funeral is before the world. India imposed sanctions in the valley fearing crowds at his funeral,” he added. He claimed that India was trying to create the impression that normalcy had returned to the disputed territory, whereas it had not.

He also cited the example of the neighbouring country charging Kashmiri students with sedition after they celebrated Pakistan's win in the T20 World Cup match against India.

Qureshi claimed that voices were being raised against India from IIOJK.

“The Indian government is losing the battle of hearts and minds… The concept of secular India is buried.”

He informed the media that India’s oppression had been under way in IIOJK for decades, adding that a human tragedy was brewing in the region.

He pointed out that the economy of IIOJK had suffered a loss of $9.5 billion. “After August 5 [in 2109 when India had stripped IIOJK of its semi-autonomous status] the people there have become disillusioned with the Indian government.”

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The minister maintained that the arrival of the OIC representative had raised the spirits of Kashmiris.

“The special envoy visited Azad Kashmir freely and spoke to the media. It is hoped that India will also allow the OIC representative to visit IIOJK.”

The minister said our goal was not to divide the OIC but resolve the Kashmir issue with consensus.

Qureshi noted that all the world's conflicts were resolving gradually. “The Kashmir issue is being effectively highlighted.”

The minister said IIOJK had become the largest military zone in the world.

“One soldier is deployed for every eight Kashmiris.” He pointed out that the Sikh community in Glasgow had staged a protest against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit there.

“Besides Muslims, all Indian minorities are protesting against the Modi government.”

The minister conceded that Pakistan had taken delayed action in restricting the use of its airspace for flights to IIOJK.

He added that the aviation ministry should take notice of flights from Sharjah to IIOJK.

Speaking on the occasion, Aldobeay said the OIC delegation had come to Pakistan to highlight the Kashmir issue.

“In the New York meeting, we highlighted the importance of this visit. Our visit was very productive,” he added.

“We will present our detailed report at the meeting of OIC foreign ministers meeting in March.”