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Occupied Kashmir not India’s internal matter, but an international issue: FO spokesperson

Occupied Kashmir not India’s internal matter, but an international issue: FO spokesperson
August 29, 2019
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal has said that Indian authorities have converted the Occupied Kashmir, especially Srinagar, into a military garrison by deploying Indian troops in every nook and corner to prevent people from staging demonstrations against the Indian illegal steps. Addressing the weekly press conference at Foreign Office on Thursday, he said that Kashmiris have repeatedly been flouting the curfew and other restrictions and staging protests to show their resentment against the Indian occupation and its nefarious move. He said that Occupied Kashmir is not an internal matter of India, but has become an international issue. Drawing attention towards the prevailing situation in Occupied Kashmir, the spokesperson said that Occupied Kashmir is under siege and cut off from the rest of the world. “Indian forces continue to impose an unprecedented military lockdown and total clampdown which risks lives of the people. The residents are facing acute shortage of food and lifesaving drugs. The valley is facing humanitarian crisis,” he declared. The FO spokesperson said that Pakistan has emphatically stated that resolution of Kashmir dispute as per UN Security Council resolutions is cornerstone of its foreign policy. “It is the success of our foreign policy that the UN Security Council discussed the situation in occupied Kashmir at length after a gap of fifty years. This matter is not closed but is on the agenda of the Security Council and further developments are expected on it.” Dr Muhammad Faisal said that the visit of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to Geneva to attend the meeting of UN Human Rights council is on the cards. “Our special envoy Tehmina Janjua is already in Geneva for an extensive outreach with OIC and other countries.” Voicing concern over prevailing situation in Occupied Kashmir, Dr Muhammad Faisal said 5th August's unilateral steps taken by the Indian government are not tenable and the resolution of this festering dispute lies only in UN Security Council. The spokesperson said that India should stop misleading the international community and accept the ground realities and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir instead of continuing with its policy of obduracy. He said that Pakistan impresses upon the international community to take cognizance of blatant human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir. When asked about the airspace closure with India, the spokesperson said the matter has been discussed at the highest level. “We can exercise this option at the time of our choosing.” Responding to a question, the Foreign Office spokesperson said that a technical meeting on Kartarpur corridor will be held on Friday at zero point. “Pakistan remains committed to completely inaugurate the corridor as per the announcement made by the prime minister,” he added. To a question about Afghan peace process, Dr Muhammad Faisal said that Pakistan has been making sincere efforts to facilitate the process. He said that the next round of talks between Afghan Taliban and the US has started. “The peace agreement between the two sides is in its final phase and we are hopeful to see its early positive conclusion leading to peace and security in Afghanistan. Pakistan will continue to work to help take peace efforts in Afghanistan to its logical conclusion,” he said.