FM Qureshi apprises UN Security Council of grave situation in IoK

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has apprised the UN Security Council of the grave situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The Foreign Minister has addressed another letter to the UNSC President Abdou Abarry of Niger highlighting the gross and systematic human rights violations in occupied Kashmir.

He also apprised of India’s illegal measures to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory and the threat to peace and security posed by India’s belligerent rhetoric and actions.

He has underlined that a fresh reign of terror has been unleashed by India in occupied Kashmir where more than 900,000 Indian troops have kept eight million Kashmiris under an inhumane military siege for more than a year.

The letter notes recent joint communication by 18 Special Procedure Mandate Holders of the UN Human Rights Council who have stated that the human rights situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir is in “free fall”.

The foreign minister’s letter further underscores that the recent measures taken by India designed to change the demography of Kashmir from a Muslim majority to a Hindu majority territory and to obliterate its distinct identity in clear violation of international law.

He has also highlighted the indiscriminate and unprovoked ceasefire violations by India on the Line of Control including the deliberate targeting of civilians population and areas. He reiterated Pakistan’s proposal to strengthen UNMOGIP in the region to effectively carry out its mandate.

He emphasised that UNSC should play its due role by urging India to immediately lift the military siege and rescind illegal actions taken since 5 August 2019. He hoped that the Security Council would take cognizance of this serious matter that requires immediate redressal.

This was imperative for the provision of humanitarian relief to the Kashmiris trapped in the occupied territory as well as for the maintenance of regional peace and security.