ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Michelle Bachelet met the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.
Talking to Ms. Michelle Bachelet, the foreign minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The foreign minister outlined the government’s policy aimed at ensuring human dignity, empowerment of women, advancing the rights of the child, safeguarding the rights of minorities, and promoting inter-faith harmony.
Pleased to meet @mbachelet. Reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the promotion & protection of human rights. Human dignity, empowerment, protection of women, rights of children, safeguarding rights of minorities & promoting inter-faith harmony are core facets of our govt’s policy. pic.twitter.com/2IV2lNURfK
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) March 10, 2022
Qureshi and High Commissioner Bachelet discussed matters relating to the situation in Afghanistan.
The foreign minister stressed that the people of Afghanistan were in dire need of international assistance and support to avert a humanitarian crisis and economic meltdown.
While acknowledging the international community’s expectations from Afghanistan on respect for human rights of all Afghans, the foreign minister stressed that the Afghan authorities should be constructively engaged. The international community should also fulfil its commitments of humanitarian and economic assistance to the Afghan people.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi briefed on the gross, systematic and widespread violations of human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
While referring to the two Kashmir Reports issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), he stressed the need for continuous monitoring of the grave human rights situation in IIOJK and measures to address it.
The foreign minister particularly highlighted the increasing violations in IIOJK with respect to illegal demographic changes; reprisal attacks against human rights defenders; extra-judicial killings, fake encounters, and destruction of property; and the clear pattern of impunity enjoyed by Indian occupation forces under draconian laws.
The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi underscored that India must be held accountable for its illegal actions and serious crimes.
Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued cooperation with the UN Human Rights machinery for the promotion and protection of all human rights and realization of the sustainable development agenda.
