ISLAMABAD: On behalf of more than 50 countries from across the world, Pakistan on Tuesday delivered a joint statement to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHCR) to bring attention to the worsening humanitarian situation in Indian-administered Kashmir, the Foreign Office said in a statement released on Wednesday.
“The worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in Indian-administered Jammu & Kashmir, especially following decisions taken on August 5, 2019, requires urgent attention by the Human Rights Council and human rights mechanisms,” excerpts from the joint statement said.
The Foreign Office said that Pakistan shared the concerns of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet “regarding the impact of recent actions on the human rights of Kashmiris” and appreciated the joint call for the removal of restrictions and the protection of the Kashmiri people.
It also pushed for actions based on the findings of the UN’s Kashmir reports, and for the peaceful resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute by implementating the UN Security Council’s recommendations.
On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi demanded that the UN launch an international investigation into the situation in Kashmir. “I shudder to mention the word genocide here, but I must,” he said in his address to the UNHCR in Geneva.
The issue follows an announcement on August 5 by the Indian government to revoke Kashmir’s special status, following which the entire valley has been under a state of curfew.
The disputed Himalayan region has also seen thousands of additional troops being deployed in the area which experts say is India’s attempt to silence the Kashmiris’ right to protest.
The issue has become a flashpoint for the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbors with Pakistan appealing to the UN to interject and resolve the matter.
Pakistan says joint statement to UN on Kashmir backed by over 50 nations
Pakistan says joint statement to UN on Kashmir backed by over 50 nations
- Situation in Kashmir warrants urgent attention from Human Rights Council, Foreign Office says
- Foreign Minister Qureshi urges the UN to launch an international probe into the matter
Pakistan stock market sees 41% rise in investors in 18 months
- Pakistan’s stock market has gained momentum at start of year on broad-based institutional buying
- The rise in the stock market reflects global investors’ confidence in the country, state media says
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange has witnessed a 41% increase in the number of investors over the past 18 months, Pakistani state broadcaster reported on Friday.
Pakistani stock market has gained momentum in recent months as broad-based institutional buying across key sectors has reinforced investor confidence even as the country continues to navigate economic reforms under international lending programs.
Around 135,000 new investors have joined the PSX over the last 18 months, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Pakistan’s stock market has emerged as the second-best performing market globally,” the report said. “The rise in the stock market reflects global investors’ confidence in Pakistan’s improved investment environment.”
The development came as the PSX shed a little more than 1,000 points as it closed the weekend session at 184,519 points.
The report said coordinated efforts by Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) have helped stabilize the country’s economy and investment market, elevating it to prominence at the global level.
“Pakistan’s macroeconomic environment has become an attractive and reliable destination for investment,” it quoted Finance Adviser Khurram Schehzad as saying.
On Wednesday, Pakistani stocks climbed to a fresh all-time high with the benchmark KSE-100 Index crossing the 186,000-point mark for the first time as potential foreign inflows upheld the positive sentiment.
