Srinagar: Pakistan on Thursday said that it has written to the UN Secretary General, the president of the UNSC and the OIC secretary general to update them about the “gross human rights violations” in Kashmir.
Speaking at his weekly press briefing in Islamabad today, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson, Nafees Zakaria, said Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has written letters.
He said that the United Nations has a responsibility to resolve this long standing dispute which is on its agenda since long. “Pakistan always welcomes mediation offers for the resolution of this internationally recognized dispute,” he added.
The statement of Pakistan comes a day after UN chief, Antonio Guterres, acknowledged that he was engaged to bring India and Pakistan on a dialogue table to resolve the long-standing dispute.
When asked about the recent Indian army chief’s statement that the “Indian troops cares for human rights in Kashmir”, the FO spokesperson said, “such claims need to be seen in the light of ground situation.”
“Why do you think I met three times the Prime Minister of Pakistan and two times the Prime Minister of India,” Guterres had said on Thursday with a laughter, responding to a question during his first press briefing in United Nations whether he is engaged in trying to engage India and Pakistan in a dialogue to resolve the Kashmir dispute.
“Two hundred and fifty innocent Kashmiri people have been killed since last July while thousands of others have been injured,” he informed.
“Hundreds of women have also been dishonored,” he said adding, “the Indian troops are committing atrocities in the valley without any impunity.”
“The international community has also raised serious concerns over the situation in occupied Kashmir. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has always supported the just cause of Kashmiri people. It has always emphasized the need for resolution of the dispute in accordance with the UNSC resolutions,” he further said.
He said that Pakistan calls upon the international community including its brothers in OIC to “impress upon India to stop brutalities in the valley”.
Meanwhile, Zakria said that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Islamabad this weekend to discuss matters pertaining to peace and stability in Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan, China and some other countries are cooperating closely for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
Nafees Zakaria said that during the visit both the sides will also review the bilateral relations.
When asked about the Afghan opposition to fencing along the border, the spokesperson noted that effective border management is necessary to stem cross border movement of terrorists and facilitate the movement of people and trade goods.
In addition, he said Pakistan is carrying out the fencing on its side of the border.
To a question, the spokesperson said that there had been visits from Pakistan to Afghanistan in the recent past including that of the parliamentary delegation.
He said the prime minister and the Afghan president during their meeting at the sidelines of SCO Summit had also agreed to use the Quadrilateral Coordination Group and bilateral channels to promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
He said, “We will therefore welcome visits from Afghan side.”
Responding to a question that the US reportedly plans to review its policy towards Pakistan, the spokesperson said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with the United States which are longstanding.
He said we believe continued cooperation between the two countries is critical for promoting peace and security in the region and beyond.
He said that Pakistan is carrying out operations against terrorists without any discrimination.
“These operations are driven by the national interests. The country will not allow its land used against any other country,” he added. “Pakistan’s position on US drone strikes is very clear. These attacks are counterproductive and amount to violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty.”
