Following are the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s Remarks to the Media on Discussions on Jammu and Kashmir Dispute in UN Security Council;
“Today, at the request of Pakistan, and with the support of China, the Security Council considered the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
As you would recall, I have addressed several letters informing the Security Council of the serious threat to international peace and security posed by India’s unilateral measures of 5th August in occupied Kashmir, its continuing violations of human rights there, and its belligerent posture and actions against Pakistan.
In view of the seriousness of the situation and the risk of further escalation, our Permanent Representative was instructed to request the Security Council to give immediate consideration to the situation in Indian occupied Kashmir. China echoed our request.
In the closed meeting of the Council this morning, UN and UNMOGIP representatives briefed the Council.
The UN in its briefing has confirmed the India’s August 5 measures resulted in the rise of tensions and that the “local situation” remains tense. Political leaders remain detained, internet and communications blockage (are) in place. There is also deployment across the LoC – UNMOGIP is also facing restrictions on the Indian side.
The UN also reported on the human rights situation in occupied Kashmir and mentioned the excessive use of force, tear gas, rubber bullets and killings. The UN Secretary-General is monitoring the situation. A solution should be found in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements.
Several countries expressed serious concern regarding the situation in occupied Kashmir, including the continued curfew and blackout imposed on the Kashmiri people and the potential threat of a conflict.
Pakistan is gratified that the Security Council has once again considered the Jammu and Kashmir situation.
It also reaffirms that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute, final disposition must be done in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the popular aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The item on India-Pakistan Question remains on its agenda, and the Council remains seized of this matter. Such continuing international scrutiny will exert pressure on Modi Government to reverse its unilateral measures and stop its human rights and ceasefire violations and threats against Pakistan.
Let me also take this opportunity to address my brothers and sisters in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan will continue to serve as the voice of the oppressed Kashmiris in the world. We continue to advance their inalienable right to self-determination as provided by several Security Council resolutions.
This afternoon, I also met the UN Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly. I will meet the President of the Security Council shortly and think him for organizing the meeting on Jammu & Kashmir earlier today.
I thanked the Secretary-General for his continuing efforts to address the human rights situation in occupied Kashmir and the threat to peace in South Asia.
I also briefed the Secretary-General on Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to defuse the dangerous tensions between Iran, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. following recent events. Pakistan has affirmed that it will not participate in any conflict in the region. It will be a partner for peace. To defuse tensions and promote peace, I visited Tehran and Riyadh earlier this week and will visit Washington tomorrow.
The Secretary-General was also briefed on Pakistan’s continuing facilitation of the US-Taliban talks and a political solution in Afghanistan.
With the President of the General Assembly, I discussed Kashmir, the Gulf situation and Afghanistan as well as the priority goals of the SDGs, climate change, Islamophobia and illicit financial flows.
Later this evening, the Chinese Permanent Representative is hosting a dinner in my honour at which the wide-ranging Pakistan-China cooperation at the UN will be discussed.”
