Govt to continue raising Kashmir issue at all Int’l forums: Kh Asif

ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Muhammad Asif Wednesday assured the parliament the government would continue making
all efforts to raise the issue of Kashmir at all international forums with full devotion.
Replying to a question in the National Assembly, the minister said that the government of Pakistan had seriously taken the
matter of gross human rights violations in Indian held Kashmir (IHK) and denial
to implement United Nations resolutions on Kashmir by the Indian government.
He said that the government had been approaching the platforms of international organizations like United Nations,
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and Organization of Islamic Conference to informing
them about the recent spell of atrocities in IHK by the India forces by using
pellet guns.
The minister said that all Pakistani missions
in different countries had been working efficiently to seriously raise the issue
of Kashmir by arranging different activities to apprise the international
community about the issue.
He expressed deep concern over deteriorating situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir and the killing
of innocent Kashmiris by Indian occupation forces.
The Minister said that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met with the
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of BOAO
Forum for Asia on Tuesday and informed him that the violations by India were
moving towards a dangerous escalation resulting in martyrdom of innocent
civilians in IHK.
Replying to another question, the minister said that there were five Pakistani nationals
being held in Guantanamo Bay. One of them is co-accused in the trial and other
is pleaded guilty to conspiracy and murder while remaining three have not been
charged of any crime yet.
He said that Pakistani mission was in contact with the State Department Special Envoy and regularly
sought status of these five detained Pakistani nationals. He added the government explored the possibility
of their repatriation in consultation with legal experts.
Khawaja Asif said that the Pakistan’s position on the situation in Syria was based on the principles of
international law, the UN charter and rules of inter-state conduct with having policy
of non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs of Syria.
He added Pakistan respected sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and wanted to resolve
all disputes by peaceful means.
He said that Pakistan would continue playing its role for assistance of Syrian refugees as there was
need for providing humanitarian assistance to these refugees.
He said that the government had planned to increase the number of Community Welfare Officers
in Saudi Arabia to timely address the issues of Pakistani community.