New Hindu settlements in Indian Held Kashmir condemnable: FO

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Pakistan voiced its concerns over Indian plans to establish new Hindu settlements in occupied Kashmir. Addressing the weekly news briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said new Hindu settlements in Occupied Kashmir are condemnable. “Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory and the United Nations Security Council in its resolutions has clearly pronounced the status of the territory,” said Tasnim Aslam. She said any effort to establish special towns or zones to change the demographic make up of the territory will be in violation of the UN resolutions. She said the people of Jammu and Kashmir are also resisting the Indian resettlement plans. When asked about Pakistani sea-men currently in the custody of Indian authorities, the spokesperson said that a vessel which was on its way to Pipavav port for ship breaking sank off the Indian coast. Ten Pakistanis and five Yemeni survived in the incident. Those belonging to Yemen were lodged in a hotel while the Pakistanis reportedly were kept in a police station. She said Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi has approached the Indian authorities to ensure the security, well being and early repatriation of Pakistani nationals. On Yemeni conflict, Tasnim Aslam said Pakistan is always ready to play positive and constructive role for the peaceful resolution of the issue. She said Pakistan is already in contact with Muslim countries on the matter. It is likely that the OIC will have a meeting on the issue in the coming days. About relations with Afghanistan, the FO spokesperson said both Pakistan and Afghanistan have good relations, which are getting better. She also pointed out that recently signed agreements between Pakistan and China will change the outlook of the region. “We can take full benefit of these projects only if our neighbourhood particularly Afghanistan is peaceful. Therefore Pakistan attaches special significance to peace and stability in Afghanistan and supporting national reconciliation process there.” The FO spokesperson emphasized the need for greater collaboration amongst SAARC countries to fight the issue of climate change. About Nepal quake, she said Pakistan was amongst the first countries to dispatch relief goods and teams. “Our relief teams there are working day and night to help the Nepalese people in this hour of trial,” she added.