Indian Occupation Forces have stepped up extra-judicial killings of Kashmiris: FO Spokesperson
Says Pakistan also urges int’l community to play its role in facilitating a just & peaceful resolution of J&K dispute
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad has said that Indian Occupation Forces have stepped up extra-judicial killings of Kashmiris, particularly targeting Kashmiri youth, following the malafide conviction and sentencing of Hurriyat leader Muhammad Yasin Malik in a grossly suspicious and contrived case. Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that Pakistan also urges the international community to play its role in facilitating a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, for durable peace and stability in South Asia.
This was stated by FO Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad while addressing the weekly press conference on Friday.
FO spokesperson said that Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif undertook his first official visit to Turkey from 31 May to 2 June. The visit depicts the importance attached to our strong bilateral ties with Turkey, rooted in shared history, and manifest in cultural affinity, people-to-people linkages and steadfast support on all issues.
He said that as we speak, the Prime Minister is in Gawadar for the inauguration of East-Bay Expressway-another milestone in context of CPEC. It is the only expressway connecting Gwadar and the N-10 Makran Costal Highway. It also organically connects the South and North Free Zones of Gwadar Port and provides necessary land transportation support for the distribution, import and export of the goods in Gwadar.
FO spokesperson said that the 118th meeting of the Pakistan-India Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) was held in New Delhi from 30-31 May 2022. A wide range of water-related issues between Pakistan and India were discussed which included the advance sharing of flood information, the program of tours/inspections and signing of the report of the Permanent Indus Commission for the year ending March 31, 2022. Pakistan also highlighted its objections on India’s hydroelectric projects on the Western rivers. Both sides reiterated their commitment to implement the Indus Waters Treaty in its true spirit and expressed the hope that the next meeting of the Commission would be held at an early date in Pakistan.
He said that on Thursday, Pakistan dispatched 2nd tranche of 15 tons of humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine, comprising medicines, blankets and ration, by two special C130 flights. MOS for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar handed over the items to the Ukrainian Ambassador at the airport.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that on 28 May 2022 marked the twenty-fourth anniversary of Pakistan’s nuclear tests conducted in 1998 in response to testing of nuclear weapons by India. The tests not only demonstrated the resolve of the Pakistani nation to safeguard Pakistan’s territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty, but also the desire to preserve strategic balance in South Asia.
He said that on On 29 May, Pakistan joined the international community in celebrating the “International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers”. As one of the top troop-contributing countries, Pakistan deeply values the vital role played by “blue helmets” in maintaining international peace and security in many conflict-ridden areas around the world. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a message also paid tribute to the contributions, professionalism and sacrifices of the Pakistani peacekeepers serving under the UN umbrella. Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a ‘Twitter Space’ to highlight Pakistan’s role and contribution to UN peacekeeping since 1960.
He said that in public diplomacy exercise, the Ministry and the British High Commission jointly participated in a symbolic beacon lighting event to celebrate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in a ceremony Thursday.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that Pakistan strongly condemns extra-judicial killing of 10 more Kashmiri youth in staged “cordon-and-search” operation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) during the past week.
He said that Pakistan reiterates its call on the international community to hold India accountable for its gross and systematic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in IIOJK.
He said that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has addressed a letter to United Nations Secretary General on the worsening situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, particularly highlighting the case of Muhammad Yasin Malik.