Qureshi urges Antonio Guterres to immediately intervene over grave situation in Occupied Kashmir

Antonio Guterres has expressed concerns over the alarming situation in Occupied Kasmir: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday urged UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to immediately intervene, and play his role for safety and security of the people of in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IoJ&K), who had been bracing relentless siege of the Indian occupation forces for the last 20 days.

Addressing a press conference, the foreign minister said he held a detailed telephonic conversation with the United Nations secretary general, who was in Paris, and apprised him about the fast worsening situation in IoJ&K, the unabated lockdown, grave human rights violations, and the scarcity of food and medicines in the wake of India’s unilateral and illegal steps.

He said the Kashmiris were patiently looking towards the international community for help and they expected it to play its role, and in case it failed, the Kashmiris would be forced to avail all options to resist the highhandedness and aggression unleashed by the Indian government in the disputed valley.

Qureshi said the UN Human Rights Commissioner was also urged to intervene to protect the lives of Kashmiris.

He said the UN secretary general was reminded that there were three parties to the dispute. Pakistan and the Kashmiris had already vehemently rejected the unilateral and illegal Indian steps, whereas the third party, India stood divided as a huge strata of Indian society and opposition parties had been opposing Modi’s illegal steps.

He said Antonio Guterres has expressed concerns over the alarming situation in Occupied Kasmir.

Qureshi told UN chief that people of Kashmir were denied religious obligations on Friday and faced shelling when tried to march towards UN office.. He said Pakistan fears that India can do a Pulwama like drama again to divert attention from Kashmir issue.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said regional peace situation has become precarious after the unilateral steps taken by India in Occupied Kashmir. He said India has put the whole area under complete lock down and communications are banned.

Foreign Minister said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to enter Sri Nagar, adding that seven petitions have been filed in Indian Supreme Court which shows no one supports Modi government’s step.

He said Pakistan wants to solve the dispute as UNSC members also highlighted the alarming situation in Indian held Kashmir. Qureshi added that Pakistan had already rejected August 5 decision of Indian government and it is also against the resolutions of UNSC.

He said UN must intervene to solve the Kashmir crisis, adding that UN mission must visit Kashmir on both sides of LoC in order to get some facts about what kind of atrocities people of Indian held Kashmir are facing.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the world body is watching the alarming situation in Occupied Kashmir and his organization will continue playing its role in this regard. Antonio Guterres told FM Qureshi that he would talk to PM Modi who is also in France to attend G7 summit. Gutterres assured FM to play his role in diffusing tensions arising after the abrogation of article 370 by BJP.

Earlier, Mr Qureshi wrote a letter to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and drawn her attention to several facets of the seriously deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson, Mr Qureshi, in his letter, outlined in detail the context and consequences of India’s illegal and unilateral actions since August 5.

The letter articulates Pakistan’s deep concerns over the intensification in human suffering, further breach of the fundamental rights of Kashmiri people, and dire humanitarian situation that has arisen as a result of India’s enhanced draconian measures to implement its illegal actions. The letter underscores that India’s actions constitute flagrant violations of UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions, international law and India’s own solemn commitments.

The foreign minister underscored the imperative for the world community, including United Nations, to call upon India to rescind its unilateral actions, lift the curfew and other draconian measures, and restore fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people.

The letter is being shared with the UN Security Council and all members of the United Nations.