Pakistan will continue to raise its voice against grave & systematic HR violations in IIOJK: FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch

ISLAMABAD, Mar 24 (SABAH): Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has said that Pakistan will continue to raise its voice against grave and systematic human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). We will also 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, she said.

This was stated by FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during the weekly press briefing on Friday.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch started with the visit of Foreign Secretary Dr. Asad Majeed Khan to China from 16-18 March 2023. He called on China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang and held meetings with Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and with Chairman CIDCA Lou Zhaouhui.

She said that on the 18 March, Dr. Asad Majeed Khan and Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong co-chaired the Third Round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC). The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, and agreed to expand and reinforce political and security cooperation, bilateral trade, economic and financial cooperation, cultural exchanges, tourism, and people-to-people ties. It was also agreed that Pakistan and China will enhance high level engagements and dialogue mechanisms and make the channels of communication even more robust.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and agreed to remain engaged in expansion of CPEC including on participation of third parties to enhance regional connectivity and cooperation. Pakistan and China will further strengthen dialogue and cooperation in multilateral platforms.

She said that the first meeting of the Joint Working Group on Political Cooperation under the framework of Pakistan-GCC Strategic Dialogue was held on 21 March in Riyadh. The Dialogue was co-chaired by Additional Foreign Secretary for the Middle East, Ambassador Rizwan Sheikh and Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Negotiations at the GCC General Secretariat, Dr. Abdulaziz Alwaisheg. The two sides discussed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and GCC and exchanged views on regional and global security; counter-terrorism; and Islamophobia.

She said that last week, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the CPEC 1320 MW Thar Coal Block-1 Power Project. This US$3 billion project, harnessing Thar coal, has created over 8000 job opportunities. It will save around US$2 billion per annum by cutting coal imports thus saving valuable foreign exchange reserves. It is capable of meeting the electricity demand of 4 million households in Pakistan. The Thar Coal project is a sterling symbol of CPEC and a testament of the thriving All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China.

She said that last week in Srinagar in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested senior journalist and human rights defender, Irfan Meraj. We are concerned about the safety and wellbeing of Irfan Meraj and dozens of Kashmiri journalists and human rights defenders, including Khurrum Perviaz, who are under incarceration in prisons across IIOJK and India. They are prisoners of conscience who are being victimized for shining a spotlight on the dire situation of human rights and fundamental freedom in IIOJK. We urge India to bring an end to suppression of journalists and human rights defenders and to its policy of stifling freedom of expression and assembly in the occupied territory.

“Now, coming to upcoming diplomatic engagements, Pakistan-Malaysia Bilateral Political Consultations will be held next week in Kuala Lumpur. Agenda includes discussion on political, security and military cooperation, trade and investment ties, cooperation in science & technology, health, tourism and culture. The two sides will also exchange views on the regional and global issues including developments in the Asia-Pacific region, Climate Change, and Islamophobia” Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said.