Sartaj briefs EU ambassadors on human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, briefed the Ambassadors of the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council – China, France, Russia, UK and USA – and the European Union in Islamabad over the killings and serious human rights violations being committed by the Indian forces in Occupied Kashmir. The adviser deplored the lethal use of force by the Indian occupation forces against the innocent Kashmiris and conveyed serious concerns over the bloodshed in the IoK which has taken a toll of more than 80 innocent Kasmiris since July 8, 2016 and inflicted injuries on more than 7,000 people. He said that the oppressive measures by India cannot deter the valiant people of the Jammu and Kashmir from their just struggle for their right of self determination. The adviser regretted the refusal from the Indian side in response to Pakistan's proposal for talks on the Kashmir dispute. In this regard, he briefed the ambassadors over the exchange of letters between the Foreign secretary and his Indian counterpart. Sartaj Aziz stated that the international community, especially the permanent members of the UN Security Council and the European Union have an important role to uphold the principles of human rights and international humanitarian law. He urged them to fulfill their commitments to the people of Jammu and Kashmir under the UN Security Council resolutions. The adviser said that Pakistan welcomes the UN Secretary General's offer and would be ready to engage in dialogues to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The P-5 and EU ambassadors stressed the need to resolve the issue peacefully. They also acknowledged the importance of dialogues to address this longstanding issue and the prevailing grave situation. They also appreciated Pakistan's readiness for dialogues.