We are concerned about the recurring acts of confiscation of properties of Kashmiri activists & HR defenders in IIOJK: Mumtaz Zahra Baloch
ISLAMABAD, June 15 (SABAH): Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch says we are concerned about the recurring acts of confiscation of properties of Kashmiri activists and human rights defenders in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). India’s National Investigation Agency and the State Investigation Agency (SIA) have moved aggressively to seize immovable properties of several Kashmiri activists. It is concerning that just SIA has attached 124 such properties since its establishment in 2021, she said.
This was stated by FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch while addressing the weekly press briefing on Thursday. FO Spokesperson said that we condemn India’s recent move to confiscate the property of All Parties Hurriyat Conference Spokesperson and Tehreek-e-Hurriyat leader, Ayaz Akbar, in Srinagar. Ayaz Akbar remains behind the bars since 2017 on fictitious charges. India must end dispossessing the political leaders and human rights defenders of their rightful properties. Kashmiris are the rightful heirs to their own land. It is unfortunate that non-Kashmiris are being encouraged to buy land and property in the disputed territory while the properties of Kashmiris are being confiscated and destroyed, she said.
“I will begin with Prime Minister’s ongoing visit to Azerbaijan. Prime Minister arrived in Baku yesterday on a two-day visit. This morning he will meet President Ilham Aliyev. The two sides will exchange views on diverse areas of bilateral cooperation including in energy, culture, banking, education, defence, information technology, science and technology, trade and investment, labour mobility, agriculture and transport connectivity. Regional and global issues of mutual concern and cooperation in multilateral forums will also be discussed. The two sides are expected to sign a programme of cultural cooperation and an MOU of cooperation between the foreign service academies of Pakistan and Azerbaijan” Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said.
She said that Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar, has just concluded an offical visit to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Belgium. During her visit, she met high-level officials including: Foreign Minister, Anniken Huitfeldt and State Secretary, Erling Rimestad of Norway; Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell; Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy of Denmark, Dan Jørgensen; State Secretary to Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Johanna Sumuvuori; and Belgian Secretary of State for Migration and Asylum Nicole de Moor.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the Minister of State has held meetings with local leaders and parliamentarians in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Belgium including: members of the Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs and Defence of Norway; the Chair of the Pakistan Belgium Parliamentary Friendship Group, Senator Allesia Cleas; and First Deputy Speaker of Swedish Parliament, Kenneth G Forslund.
The Minister of State has held extensive meetings with officials of the European Union including the High Representative of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borell, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, and European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson. In Strasbourg, she met with the Members of the European Parliament. In these meetings, the two sides discussed Pakistan-EU cooperation in diverse areas including food security, climate change, energy, sustainable development, green economy, agriculture and digital connectivity.
FO spokesperson said that the Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy of Denmark, Dan Jørgensen has arrived in Pakistan on a two-day official visit. This afternoon, he will meet with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. They will discuss bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Denmark in political, trade, economic, investment, agriculture, information technology and energy domains with key focus in the areas of climate change and green transition. They will also exchange the Joint Action Plan on the Green Framework Engagement Agreement, signed in August last year. The Joint Action Plan would pave the way for joint initiatives and projects in renewable energy and green transition driven by technological advancement and collaborative partnerships. It will also contribute towards the realization of Sustainable Development Goals and thus set the foundation for a sustainable future.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch announced that the 12th round of Pakistan -Iran Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) will be held in Tehran on 17-18 June 2023. The Foreign Secretary will lead Pakistani delegation while Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs of Iran, Ali Bagheri Kani will lead the Iranian side.
While reviewing the progress on implementation of decisions of last session, the BPC will review all aspects of Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations covering political, economic, trade, investment, border security, education, climate change and culture domains. The two sides will also hold discussions on regional situation particularly Afghanistan, Kashmir, resumption of Iran-Saudi Arabia diplomatic ties and regional peace and stability. The two sides will also discuss progress on institutional frameworks to promote ongoing cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that in Tehran, Foreign Secretary will call on the Iranian Foreign Minister and address the Institute of Political and International Studies. He would also hold meeting with Secretary General of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and Chairman of Pakistan -Iran Parliamentary Friendship Group. The last meeting of BPC was held in Islamabad in October 2021.
She said that the second round of Pakistan-Belgium Bilateral Political Consultations is being held in Islamabad today. Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe) Ambassador Muhammad Saleem will lead the Pakistan side while the Belgium delegation will be led by Ambassador Cooreman, Director General, Bilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belgium.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the two sides will review the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Belgium relations and set the agenda for bilateral engagement and cooperation for the next year. The two sides will discuss collaboration at international forums, including at the UN, and important regional and global developments. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Belgium.
She said that Pakistan remains committed to further deepening and broadening its ties with Belgium in the areas of trade, investment, academic and cultural cooperation, tourism and labor mobility.