FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch describes the election exercise in IIOJK as farcical
ISLAMABAD, Sep 19 (SABAH): Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has said that Pakistan is committed to the full implementation of Indus Water Treaty.
Responding to the queries of media persons at her weekly news briefing regarding India’s notice seeking reassessment of the treaty, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan considers the Indus Water Treaty as an important one and hopes that India will also comply with its provisions.
The spokesperson pointed out that the two countries have a mechanism of Indus Water Commissioners and all issues pertaining to this treaty can be discussed in it.
The spokesperson described the election exercise in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as farcical, reminding India that given the internationally recognized disputed status of IIOJK, any so called elections conducted in pursuance of the Indian constitution carries no legal value in the eyes of international law.
She said the relevant UN Security Council resolutions clearly state that final disposition of Jammu and Kashmir dispute will be made in accordance with the will of the Kashmiri people expressed through a UN supervised plebiscite. Any other process, cannot, therefore, serve as a substitute to the grant of the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people.
Responding to a question, the foreign office spokesperson rejected Acting Afghan Consul General’s explanation for not standing during the Pakistani national anthem at an event in Peshawar, terming the action a violation of diplomatic norms. She said Pakistan considers the act of the Acting Afghan Consul General as reprehensible, saying this has hurt the sentiments of the people of Pakistan. She said Pakistan has conveyed its strong protest to the Afghan authorities on the matter. She said decisions will be taken after due internal deliberations and conclusion of talks with the Afghan government. She said Pakistan reserves the right to take action in accordance with diplomatic norms and practices.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will participate in the high-level segment of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York from 23rd to 27th of this month.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the Prime Minister in his address to the UN General Assembly will reaffirm Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to multilateralism and express support for the role of the UN in fostering global peace, security and prosperity.
The Prime Minister will emphasize the importance of addressing longstanding issues on the agenda of the UN Security Council including the question of Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
She said that PM Shehbaz Sharif will attend several other high-level meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA session including the high level meeting on Existential Threat posed by Sea Level Rise and the UN Security Council’s open debate on Leadership for Peace.
His program will also include bilateral meetings with world leaders, the UN Secretary General, the President of the UN General Assembly and members of Pakistani diaspora. The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and senior government officials.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson said that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will also have an extensive program consisting of several high level events and bilateral meetings with his counterparts. He will represent Pakistan at Summit of the Future convened by the UN Secretary General. He will also take part in several ministerial level meetings including the OIC annual coordination meeting of the Foreign Ministers and the meeting of OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir.