ISLAMABAD – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged for fullrespect to human and fundamental rights in Occupied Kashmir andimplementation of the relevant UN resolutions on the issue.
Addressing a joint news conference along with Foreign Minister Shah MahmoodQureshi in Islamabad on Sunday, he said we have taken solid position forthe UN Security council resolutions to be adopted and offered our goodoffices for resolving issues between Pakistan and India, if both sidesagree.
The UN Secretary General said the UNMOGIP is continually monitoring theceasefire violations along the Line of Control. He said the UN was deeplyconcerned over the tensions between India and Pakistan last year and askedboth sides for restraint, as dialogue and diplomacy are the only way tosolve the problems.
Antonio Guterres while appreciating the initiative of construction ofKartarpur Corridor said it is a symbol of interfaith harmony and willpromote peace in the region.
He said Pakistan is a responsible member of the United Nations and it willbe fully supported in dispensing its responsibilities.
The UN Chief said his visit to Pakistan is to acknowledge the greatgenerosity and hospitality that Pakistan extended to Afghan refugees forover forty years, despite its limited resources and challenges.
Hailing the contributions of Pakistan in UN peacekeeping operations aroundthe world, he said Pakistani men and women are serving with full dedicationand commitment to promote the values of the UN.
He said he also discussed with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi anumber of issues, including on regional security.
The UN Secretary General said Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism arecommendable and very successful. He said due to these efforts, nowIslamabad has become a safe family station for UN staff.
On Afghan situation, he said political solution and permanent ceasefire isthe only way forward to durable peace in Afghanistan which will foster therepatriation process of Afghan refugees. He urged Pakistan to continueplaying its pivotal role in sustainable peace in the neighboring country.
In reply to a question, he said we need to fight Islamophobia strongly. Hesaid hate speeches are the main cause of Islamophobia and we are committedto fight against all forms of populism that contributes in such narrative.He said his tomorrow’s visit to Kartarpur corridor will be a symbol ofdialogue and tolerance.
On his turn, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said we had a veryfruitful meeting with the UN Secretary General in which we discussed a hostof issues. He said we have to agree on a time bound roadmap forrepatriation of Afghan refugees, supported by the international community.He said Pakistan has always supported peace and reconciliation inAfghanistan as it believes that peace in the neighboring country willimprove regional stability.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan is a responsible member of the UN andthere is a lot of two way cooperation between the two. He said we arecommitted to principles and values of the UN charter. He said we supportmultilateralism instead of unilateralism.
He said one example of unilateralism is the illegal act of 5th August oflast year by India. He said we have conveyed to the UNSG about thechallenging situation arising out of this unilateral act. He said allshades of Kashmiri opinion have rejected that action. We also discussedincreased ceasefire violations after the 5th August.
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Shah Mahmood Qureshi said more than 200 days have passed since the siegeand lockdown of eight million Kashmiris and compromising of fundamentalfreedoms in the held territory. He said UN Secretary General is thecustodian of UN charter and for this responsibility we have someexpectations from him. He urged the UN Secretary General to reaffirm thebinding nature of UNSC resolutions, besides highlighting the restoration offundamental rights and freedom of movement and urging India to respect the2003 ceasefire violations agreement.
The Minister said he also asked the UN Chief that there should be freedomof movement of UNMOGIP to fulfill its mandate on the India side, just likeit enjoys in Pakistani area.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said he also shared the initiatives of the governmenton socio economic welfare with the UNSG, including Ehsaas program, healthfacility program and sustainable development goals. He said we hadunanimity of views on climate challenge issues.
Earlier, taking to UN Secretary General said, Pakistan under the leadershipof the Prime Minister Imran Khan believes in peaceful neighborhood.
He expressed serious concern over India’s growing aggressive posturing.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said India’s ceasefire violations along the LoC haveincreased and civilians are being targeted.
He said our message of peace was unfortunately considered as our weaknessby India.
The Foreign Minister condemned serious human rights violations by Indianforces in Occupied Kashmir.
He said the occupied Jammu and Kashmir, besieged by nine hundred thousandIndian occupation forces, has become the largest militarized zone in theworld today.
He said over eight million Kashmiris are still in captivity and victims ofcommunication blackout for more than 200 days.
The Foreign Minister urged the UN Secretary General to play his role as thepeople of Pakistan and Kashmir are hopeful that the UN Security Councilwill soon give them legal, legitimate and democratic voting rights.
