ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has termed the Indian revocation of special status for disputed Kashmir a “unilateral and unjust” move that will jeopardize peace in the region.
“Just when the Afghan peace process was making a smooth headway, India has played the role of a spoiler by creating this distraction,” he told Arab News from Jeddah where he was attending the emergency meeting of the OIC on Kashmir hosted on Tuesday.
Qureshi said, “Russia, China, Central Asian Republics, and Pakistan all have shared objective to have peace restored in Afghanistan, the cease-fire implemented, and stability returning to the country.”
“This kind of diversion at this stage, at such a sensitive point, neither serves the region nor helps the US interests. They [India] have rather hindered [the process] through this destruction.”
Qureshi said that Islamabad will “use all diplomatic, legal and political options against the unilateral and unjust Indian decision of revoking special constitutional status of Indian occupied Kashmir.”
Pakistan has already initiated efforts to lobby world powers, he continued.
“Pakistan has not only taken up the issue with United States but also has started using its diplomatic contacts with China, Russia and other powers of the world.”
He said that US President Donald Trump had offered to mediate on Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India which New Delhi unfortunately rejected.
“Now, Pakistan will use United Nations Security Council as well as other humanitarian and legal ways to take up the volatile issue of Kashmir to save the Kashmiri brothers,” he added. “Our legal experts are looking into all the possible dimensions to use the International Court of Justice or other legal platforms.”
Qureshi said that “the world has not only condemned India’s ruthlessly imposed decision on Kashmiri people but has rejected it altogether.”
He said the Kashmiri diaspora is in “sheer anguish” while voices within India are condemning the move. “Indian legal experts, themselves, are saying that the decision is unlawful and can be a big challenge for its government. It will create chaos within India.”
Pakistan has constituted a seven-member committee to review the political, diplomatic and legal aspects to prepare a proposed response in view of the critical situation of the Indian administered Kashmir.
According to the official notification, the committee comprises Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Attorney-General of Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, renowned international law expert Ahmer Bilal Soofi, as well as three top military generals including chiefs of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Operations, and the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).