ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Office on Thursday said Pakistan supported all efforts for restoring peace in Afghanistan and desired to have long-lasting bilateral relationship with the neighboring country.
While addressing the weekly press briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria condemned the terrorists attack in Afghanistan, and said Pakistan was deeply saddened by the loss of precious human lives in the attacks.
Zakaria said the delegation comprised of US Acting under Secretary of State and Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) Alice Wells was on a bilateral visit to Pakistan.
“US delegation called on the Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and during the delegation level talks entire gamut of bilateral relations and regional issues, including the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan have been reviewed”, he added.
Replying to a question, he said the issue of Indian Occupied Kashmir was also discussed with the acting secretary of state during the delegation level talks.
The Spokesperson said the human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Kashmir had been worsening with every passing day due to the ever increasing atrocities by the Indian forces with impunity.
“Indian occupation forces martyred eight Kashmiris in last six days Shariq Ahmed Sheikh (25), Shabbir Ahmad Mir (24), Ghulam Muhammad Shah (55), Firdous Ahmad Khan, (30), Arif Nabi Dar (24) and 22-year old Akeel Ahmad Butt in Pulwama, Kupwara and Baramulla districts”, he informed.
Nafees Zakaria said over 110 people mostly young boys including over 70 were injured with pellets and bullets after Indian forces used excessive brute forces, bullets, pellets and teargas shells on defenseless Kashmiris during peaceful protests in occupied Kashmir while one boy had been completely blinded due to use of pellet guns by Indian forces.
“Government of Pakistan strongly condemns Indian brutal killing and use of brute force against peaceful Kashmiri protestors in Indian Occupied Kashmir”, he added.
The Spokesperson said the International community, particularly the United Nations must take necessary action to address the issue of Kashmir including the illegal detention of Hurriyat leaders under black Law Public Safety Act, who along with people of Kashmir had been denied offering Jumma Prayers for 5th consecutive Friday.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson said the government and the people of Pakistan remain committed in extending our moral, diplomatic and political support to our oppressed brothers and sisters in Indian Occupied Kashmir in their just struggle against Indian illegal occupation.
Replying to another question, he said Pakistan had suffered a lot due to terrorism and had been playing a significant role in the war against terrorism.
“India needs to introspect its policies in Kashmir and in regional relations instead of accusing Pakistan of something they are unable to provide evidence for,” he said.
Zakaria said the stubborn attitude of incumbent Indian government had also affected the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) which was responsible for the development and mutual cooperation of between the regional countries.
Replying to another question regarding water talks between India and Pakistan, he said the meetings earlier this week were held in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation. He said the parties had agreed to continue discussions and reconvene the meeting in September in Washington, DC.
The Spokesperson said by using the article 35-A that bars outsiders from buying land in occupied Kashmir, India was trying to change the demography of Kashmir which was a clear violation of United Nation Security Council resolutions.
