FM Qureshi discusses Kashmir matter with NZ's deputy PM Winston Peters

Qureshi urged the international community to play role in resolving the matter.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday has telephoned New Zealand’s deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and informed him about escalating tension in occupied Kashmir. During the conversation, the minister told the NZ deputy PM that Indian move to scrap special status of the valley is against the resolutions of United Nations (UN). He also urged the international community to play role in resolving the matter, saying that India wants to change demography of occupied Kashmir through repressive tactics. Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the unarmed people of occupied Kashmir have been facing curfew, which has caused shortage of food and medicines there.

Expressing concern over the situation in occupied Kashmir, the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister said we are closely observing the situation.

He said New Zealand is also receiving information about occupied Kashmir from the Kashmiri community in New Zealand, and his country will continue playing its positive role in this regard. Earlier, Foreign Minister Qureshi in an another letter to the President of the UN Security Council had invited his attention towards the continuation of troubling developments including the dire humanitarian situation as a result of total lockdown in Indian occupied Kashmir and the attendant risks to peace and security in South Asia. He also highlighted India s irresponsible and belligerent rhetoric on the nuclear issue. The foreign minister further suggested to the Security Council for doubling the number of United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan and persuading India to allow them to patrol on its side of the LoC as well.