Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic & moral support to our Kashmiri brothers & sisters: Mumtaz Zahra Baloch
ISLAMABAD, Feb 09 (SABAH): Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has said that Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
This was stated by FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during the weekly press briefing on Thursday.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch started the press briefing with the visit of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar to Sri Lanka on 3-4 February 2023 to participate in the 75th Independence Day celebrations. She said that in Colombo, the Minister of State called on President, Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena and held comprehensive talks with Foreign Minister, Ali Sabry.
She said that during these meetings, the two sides agreed to advance close cooperative ties; enhance understanding and cooperation on issues of global and regional significance; and intensify high-level exchanges. Important understandings were reached to increase cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, defence, education, tourism, culture and people-to-people contacts.
She said that in Colombo, the Minister of State also held bilateral meetings with Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, and Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Shunsuke Takei and discussed areas of bilateral cooperation and understanding.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Foreign Secretary, Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, is currently on a three-country visit in Europe for Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) with Spain, France and The Netherlands. On Wednesday, he was in the Hague where he met with Secretary General, Paul Huijts for 10th Round of the Pakistan-Netherlands Bilateral Political Consultations. The two sides agreed to intensify engagement in a range of areas including political, trade and investment, climate change, agriculture, water management, dairy and livestock, education and culture. Detailed discussions were held on GSP Plus and matters relating to trade and investment.
She said that the Foreign Secretary also held a meeting with the Director General, Ambassador Fernando Arias, of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and discussed the ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and the OPCW.
“You would recall that on 6th February, the Foreign Secretary led the Pakistan delegation at the 5th Round of Annual Bilateral Consultations with Spain. The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in trade, economy, agriculture, renewable energy, climate change, tourism, digitization, startups and food processing areas” Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said.
FO spokesperson said that the Foreign Secretary will now travel to France. He will meet with his counterpart for the 14th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations on 10th February. During this visit, the Foreign Secretary will also sign the Roadmap for Bilateral Cooperation between Pakistan and France.
She said that Secretary General of Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), Dr. Pornchai Danvivathana is on an official visit to Pakistan from 07-10 February 2023 to hold consultations with Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific) in her capacity as the Senior Official of Pakistan for the ACD. Dr. Pornchai Danvivathana has also held meetings with Minister of State, Hina Rabbani Khar and Secretary, Ministry of Planning.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that during these meetings, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to multilateralism and expressed its desire to forge a mutually beneficial relationship with the ACD and member countries. It is committed to promoting regional development through improved connectivity especially in its capacity as the Prime Mover for the Pillar of Connectivity and the Co-Prime Mover for the Pillar of Culture and Tourism in the ACD.
She said that last week, Pakistan participated in the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), Preparatory to the upcoming OIC Council of Foreign Ministers held from 5-7 February 2023 in Jeddah. The Senior Officials discussed key issues and challenges confronting the Islamic world including Palestine, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Mali and Yemen. The recent racist, xenophobic and Islamophobic acts of the desecration of the Holy Quran in Europe and situation of minorities in non-OIC countries were also discussed.
She said that Pakistan has conveyed its deepest condolences and sympathies to the victims of the earthquake that hit parts of Türkiye, Syria and Lebanon on 6 February resulting in the loss of precious lives and extensive damage to property. We have extended our heartfelt condolences on the tragic loss of life and offered all possible support in the relief efforts. Our support is being delivered in the form of relief assistance and rescue and support teams.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that our Missions in Türkiye and Syria remain in constant touch with the relevant authorities and our community to identify any requirement for the earthquake affected areas and to provide relief to Pakistanis, who may be affected by the earthquake. About 23 Pakistanis have been evacuated from Gaziantep University and accommodated in Adana. Sixteen of them will be evacuated to Pakistan while the rest will be transported to Istanbul.
She said that the Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed on 5th February 2023 with traditional zeal and fervor by Pakistanis from all walks of life and Kashmiri Diaspora around the world. On Wednesday, the Parliament of Pakistan at its Joint Session unanimously adopted a Resolution on Jammu and Kashmir reiterating Pakistan’s unstinting moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmir Cause.
“As we speak, an eviction drive is underway in many parts of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). This is the latest in a series of measures aimed at dispossessing the Kashmiri people of their land. Unfortunately, most of the people facing the brunt of the eviction drive are poor and Muslims. Their rights need to be protected” she said.
She said that in the recent years, in some states of India, bulldozers have been used to demolish properties of Muslims to terrorize them. Regrettably, that model is now being replicated in IIOJK. It is unfortunate that Indian authorities are using land as a weapon to intimidate the people of IIOJK.
“We continue to witness disturbing developments in IIOJK. A few days ago, the Indian occupation authorities attacked the office building of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) in Rajbagh area of Srinagar. Pakistan condemns this oppressive act, which constitutes yet another assault on political freedoms in IIOJK” she said. “We believe that the confiscation of the brick-and-mortar buildings cannot coerce the freedom-loving people into subjugation” she said.
“Lastly, coming to the upcoming visits — Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi will visit Pakistan next week from 15-16 February 2023. During his two-day visit, he will hold high level meetings including with the Foreign Secretary and undertake visits to different institutions employing nuclear technology in the fields of health, agriculture, industry and power generation. The visit will provide an opportunity to Pakistan and the IAEA to explore avenues to advance cooperation in peaceful applications of nuclear technology for socio-economic development” she said.