HR violations in IOK need immediate attention of world: Shireen Mazari

ISLAMABAD, Apr 03 (APP):The gross human rights violations in Indian-Occupied Kashmir needed immediate attention of the world, Minister for Human Rights Dr. Shireen Mazari said on Wednesday.

In her extensive interaction with the European Parliamentarians, Dr. Shireen Mazari spoke about the gross human rights violations being committed by the Indian security forces in the Indian-occupied Kashmir, said a press release received here.

At a lunch hosted by Member of the European Parliament Wajid Khan, she thanked him and his colleagues for raising their voice in support of Kashmiri people in a recent exchange of views on Kashmir in the Parliament’s sub-committee on human rights.

The gathered MEPs agreed with the minister that there was a need for more concerted efforts by the EU to highlight the Kashmir issue.

At the dinner hosted by the Ambassador of Pakistan Naghmana Hashmi, Dr. Mazari briefed the EU parliamentarians, the European Commission officials, members of think tanks and local media on the mature response of Pakistan to unwarranted escalation by India.

She highlighted that the priorities of the government were to focus on the socio-economic development of Pakistan and peaceful relations with its neighbors.

She regretted that Indian domestic politics stood in the way of any meaningful engagement at this point despite Pakistan’s peace overtures, including opening of Kartarpour corridor.

The minister also held a detailed meeting with the EU’s Envoy for Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief Jan Figel.

She underscored the Pakistan’s concerns over rising incidents of Islamophobia in Europe and urged that the EU to take a proactive role in addressing these concerns.