Pakistan remains deeply concerned about the worsening human rights & security situation in IIOJK: FO Spokesperson

ISLAMABAD, Feb 04 (SABAH): Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed today (Saturday) to reiterate Pakistan’s resolve to stand by Kashmiris to continue to extend all possible support to them till the realization of their right to self-determination.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad expressed this resolve at his weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Friday.

He said Pakistan remains deeply concerned about the worsening human rights and security situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which continues to be under military and police siege.

He said extra-judicial killings of innocent Kashmiris continue with impunity. Hardly a day passes without any news of a fake encounter or a so-called cordon-and-search operation by the Indian occupation forces. Since first January, at least 24 Kashmiris have been martyred in this unabated reign of terror.

The international community must act to stop the wanton oppression and persecution of the besieged Kashmiris under illegal occupation.

The FO Spokesperson said Pakistan salutes the resilience of the Kashmiri people who continue to stand firm in their just and peaceful struggle for their legitimate right to self-determination as pledged to them by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

He said the Jammu and Kashmir issue is an internationally recognized dispute on the agenda of the UN Security Council whose numerous resolutions stipulate that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.

Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi has also addressed a letter to the President of the United Nations Security Council and the UN Secretary-General, and we have also briefed the P-5 countries’ Diplomatic Missions in Islamabad on the grave situation in IIOJK, drawing attention to the special responsibility of the UNSC towards a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with its own resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

He said the international community must take cognizance of the plight of Kashmiris, hold India to account for its widespread brutalities and human rights violations in IIOJK. He also urged the world community to play its due role for resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The Foreign Minister has also addressed a letter to the President of the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary-General, and we have also briefed the P-5 countries’ Diplomatic Missions here in Islamabad on the grave situation in IIOJK, drawing attention to the special responsibility of the UNSC towards a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with its own resolutions.