ISLAMABAD: Slamming the United Nations for its reaction over the recent situation in disputed Kashmir, Sardar Masood Khan, President of Azad Kashmir on Monday termed the global body’s response as “deeply disappointing, lukewarm and laid-back.”
“They (United Nations) are trying to create an artificial balance between India and Pakistan. They are asking India and Pakistan for restraint. What kind of restraint are they expecting from Pakistan? Pakistan has already said that it is not going to go to war. All the aggressive steps are being taken by India, so the UN should have rightly asked India to show restraint, responsibility and should have counselled it to reverse the steps it has announced,” Khan said during his exclusive interview with Arab News.
He added that in this dark hour when the people of Indian-administered Kashmir are suffering, their eyes are turned toward the Islamic countries and the Arab world.
“The Arab world, particularly Saudi Arabia and allies, is the ‘torchbearer’ of the unity of the Muslim Ummah. No Muslim anywhere in the world should suffer unjustly as it is happening in Indian occupied territory,” he said, requesting Arab countries to support Kashmir in this difficult period by building “pressure against India’s unlawful and illegal steps.”
He further chided the leaders of other countries for not mounting pressure on India “due to their strategic, economic and political interests.”
“India has deluded the world powers, particularly the western countries, that they are a force for good and have respect for diversity. This is all a “fasad” I would say. The reality is [that] India is pursuing aggression and it is committing violent crimes, crimes against humanity and the world is not holding India accountable.”
Khan said that by revoking Articles 370 and 35-A, India in fact dropped the pretense that it had put up for the people of Kashmir and the rest of the world claiming there was autonomy in the Indian administered Kashmir.
“There was no autonomy, there was only occupation. So now India is completely exposed. It has taken additional coercive measures. Article 370 was an empty shell but article 35-A recognized some of the inherent and basic rights of Kashmiris. By removing it, they [India] want to alter the demography and turn the Muslim majority into a minority.”
He added that India has defied all norms of International law and created a war psychosis with Pakistan. “India has opened a new battle field with Pakistan. It has signaled to escalate along the Line of Control (LOC). In the recent past, they have killed many civilians along the LOC. They used cluster ammunition which claimed the lives of children.”
Commenting on options available to Pakistan, Khan said that “Pakistan can do a lot on bilateral level and has taken certain measures already. It has also cut off the train and bus service and suspended trade with India.”
“Pakistan announced to take the matter to UN Security Council (UNSC) and it is the Security Council’s responsibility to take cognizance of the situation. It is also necessary for Pakistan to remain in touch with friendly countries and also those countries who care about human rights.” He added that OIC can also play meaningful role by promoting some sort of solution about Jammu and Kashmir.
Khan said that Pakistan should follow up on President Trump’s recent offer to mediate on Kashmir issue. “They (Pakistan) should not have a passive posture and go ahead to deescalate the situation,” he added.
He said that Pakistan should increase its contact with permanent members of the UNSC such as China because “their opinion would matter.”
Khan lamented as the deteriorating situation in Indian-administered Kashmir terming it as “horrendous.” He said the world was blinded from the situation on ground due to information blockade. “The occupied territory is completely under lockdown. People have been pushed back to the dark ages.”
He said that India had moved an additional 180,000 troops to the disputed valley before repealing Kashmir’s special status granted in the Indian constitution.
“We know very little of the horror that has been unleashed on Kashmiris. We can believe based on our past experience that a genocide is being committed in Kashmir right now but it hidden from the rest of the world.”
UN is creating ‘artificial balance’ between India, Pakistan – AJK President
UN is creating ‘artificial balance’ between India, Pakistan – AJK President
- Masood Khan says global body’s response is “deeply disappointing”
- Sees Saudi Arabia as the “torchbearer” of unity among Muslims
Pakistan raises fuel prices by Rs55 per liter as Middle East conflict drives oil surge
- Government says adequate fuel stocks in place despite global energy shock
- Oil prices jump from about $78 to over $106 per barrel amid regional conflict
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 ($0.20) per liter each as escalating conflict in the Middle East sent global oil prices sharply higher and disrupted energy supply routes, officials said.
Global oil markets have been rattled since coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran began last week, triggering retaliatory attacks across the region, raising fears of disruption to key energy shipping routes and pushing petroleum prices sharply upward.
The price adjustment in Pakistan was announced after a joint press conference by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, who said the government was monitoring international energy markets and domestic supply conditions amid the crisis.
“So, the decision we have made by changing the levy a little bit is that we are going ahead with increasing the price of both fuels, petrol and diesel, by Rs55 ($0.20),” Malik told reporters.
“And as soon as this matter settles, we will revise the prices downward with the same speed and take steps on how to increase people’s income and purchasing power.”
He said Pakistan entered the crisis with “comfortable energy reserves” due to earlier planning but rising global prices had forced the government to adjust domestic fuel rates to maintain supply continuity.
He said international petrol prices had climbed from roughly $78 per barrel on March 1 to around $106.8 per barrel, while diesel prices had risen to about $150 per barrel.
Malik added that the government had taken steps to minimize the burden on consumers, noting diesel plays a critical role in agriculture, transportation and public mobility.
Malik also warned that authorities would take strict action against anyone attempting to hoard fuel or manipulate supply for profiteering.
The minister said Pakistan was working with international partners to secure additional energy supplies, including arrangements with Saudi Aramco and the use of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation vessels to transport crude oil imports.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb said a high-level government committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been meeting daily to review developments in global petroleum markets and their potential impact on Pakistan’s economy.
“Pakistan currently maintains adequate energy stocks and macroeconomic stability,” Aurangzeb said, adding that the government’s response was based on preparedness rather than panic.
He said the committee, which includes senior ministers, the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan and other officials, was assessing short-, medium- and long-term implications of the crisis for inflation, foreign exchange reserves and broader economic indicators.
Deputy PM Dar said the regional conflict had significantly disrupted global energy markets, with international petroleum prices rising by as much as 50–70 percent in recent days.
The deputy prime minister added that Pakistan was also engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and restoring stability in the region.
Petroleum prices will now be reviewed more frequently, potentially on a weekly basis, and any reduction in global oil prices would be passed on to consumers.
Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported fuel to meet its energy needs, is particularly vulnerable to global oil price shocks that can quickly feed into inflation and pressure the country’s external accounts.
