Pakistan urges India to end IOJ&K lockdown, ensure supply of essential items

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Pakistan has expressed grave concern over coronavirus in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K), urging the Indian government to end the lockdown. In her statement at the weekly news briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui stressed that lifting of restrictions is important to obtain full information of the infected people and to ensure the provision of essential items and medical supplies to the people of the Occupied Valley. She condemned the inhumane and brutal repression of the people of IOJ&K by the Indian security forces. Aisha Farooqui also strongly rejected all the attempts by the Indian government to call IOJ&K an integral part of India, saying this is in violation of the UN Security Council resolutions. Regarding the coronavirus, she said that a series of measures have been taken by Pakistani authorities to prevent and contain its spread. “The government and other stakeholders are monitoring and evaluating the situation and coordinating all systems and mechanisms to ensure safety of the people.” The spokesperson said that a crisis management cell has also been established in the Foreign Office to liaison with the diplomatic corps in Pakistan as well as with all our missions abroad and diaspora community in different parts of the world. “Our embassies and consulates abroad have also established hotlines and nominated focal persons to facilitate overseas Pakistanis.” She advised the overseas Pakistanis to avoid unnecessary travel and practice social distancing in a responsible manner for their own safety and those around them.