ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has appreciated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for raising the Kashmir issue at the United Nations General Assembly.
In a tweet, the prime minister said he deeply appreciates President Erdogan once again for raising his voice in support of the rights of the Kashmiri people during his address to UNGA.
“Turkey’s unwavering support remains a source of strength for the Kashmiris in their legitimate struggle for self-determination,” he said.
This is the second time since Erdogan has raised the Kashmir issue at the global forum which is airing pre-recorded speeches this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Prime Minister Imran Khan is scheduled to address on Friday September 25.
Turkish President told the UN General Assembly that the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan was a “burning issue” and called for resolving it through dialogue.
“The Kashmir conflict, which is also key to the stability and peace of South Asia, is still a burning issue,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech he made via video-link to the 193-member UNGA landmark 75th session.
READ MORE: ‘Burning issue’: Erdogan raises Kashmir issue at UN General Assembly
“Steps taken following the abolition of the special status of Jammu-Kashmir further complicated the problem,” he said, referring to the August 5, 2019, unilateral move by India to annex the disputed territory.
“We are in favour of solving this issue through dialogue, within the framework of the United Nations resolutions and especially in line with the expectations of the people of Kashmir,” the Turkish leader added.
On Sunday, the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir met in New York on the request of Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
He voiced “deep concern” over the continued human rights violations by India in occupied Kashmir, and called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Security Council and the Human Rights Council to take steps to end those abuses.
In his forthright speech, the Turkish president also called occupation and oppression in Palestine a “bleeding wound of humanity.” He said Turkey will not support any plan that the Palestinian people do not give consent to.
“The Palestinian conflict can only be resolved with the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Seeking solutions other than this are in vain,” he added.
