India failed to convince UNSC that Kashmir is bilateral issue: FM Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that India has failed to convince the United Nations Security Council that Jammu and Kashmir dispute is a bilateral issue.

In his remarks after the UN Security Council meeting, the foreign minister said India took desperate attempts to prevent this discussion and went to lengths to minimize the importance and significance of the meeting.

He said the meeting to discuss the situation in Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir has reaffirmed the validity of resolutions that final resolution of the dispute will be made through a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations.

“I would like to remind India that through its sophistry and obfuscation, it cannot create a smokescreen for unilateral and illegal actions in IIOJ&K taken since 5 August 2019,” said the foreign minister.

He said the current military siege Occupied Kashmir by Indian occupation forces and increased ceasefire violations across Line of Control (LoC) pose a serious threat to peace and security in South Asia and beyond.

“Our fears have come true,” he said. “Led by Hindutva ideology, RSS-BJP accolades are resorting to war-mongering attitude towards all their neighbouring countries, threatening to use force, committing massive violations of human rights, and marginalising Muslim population, to quash freedom movement.”

He deplored the situation in Indian-Occupied Kashmir remains unabated. “Indian Government has imposed curfew while putting restrictions on freedom of movement and communications. Extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests and incarcerations remain human shield for the Indian occupation forces to camouflage their heinous crimes.”

The foreign minister said UN Secretariat and UN Military Observer Group in Pakistan representatives briefed the Council on the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the meeting confirmed that the overall security situation in the valley is tense.

Giving his message to the people of Indian-Occupied Kashmir, Qureshi reassured them that Pakistan will continue to serve as your voice across the world.