ISLAMABAD: All 15 members of the United Nations Security Council have expressed serious concerns over the deteriorating situation in India-administered Kashmir, Pakistani Foreign Office said on Thursday.
A Security Council meeting on Kashmir was convened on Wednesday on a request by Pakistan, which was backed by China – one of the council’s permanent members.
“During the hour-long discussion all the council members, including P-5 countries (permanent council members) expressed serious concerns regarding the deteriorating situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including the continued curfew and blackout imposed on the Kashmiri people, and potential threat of a conflict,” Foreign Office spokeswoman Aisha Farooqui said in a weekly media briefing in Islamabad.
She said UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) representatives briefed Security Council members on “India’s illegal actions,” “the continuous crackdown on Kashmiri leadership and people by Indian forces,” and confirmed that they had “resulted in the rise of tension.”
“Political leaders remained detained and Internet blockade remained in place. There is also deployment across the LOC (Line of Control). UNMOGIP members continued to face restrictions on the Indian side,” Farooqui said, adding that it was reaffirmed during the session that the Kashmir issue is an international dispute.
“We hope that such continued international scrutiny will exert pressure on the (Indian Prime Minister) Modi government to reverse its unilateral measure and to stop human rights and cease-fire violations against Pakistan,” she said, expressing Pakistan’s stance that the dispute must be resolved in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
She added that it was a second time in five months that the Security Council was discussing the Kashmir situation.
Farooqui said that Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had held three important meetings with the UN secretary general and President of UNSC, the presidents of the Security Council and General Assembly.
The foreign minister, Farooqui said, apprised the UN leaders on the effects of the over five-month Indian lockdown, rejecting all claims of “normalcy” in the territory. He also informed them about India’s “war-mongering” attitude, she said.
“The foreign minister underscored that persistent war mongering by Indian political and military leadership was a threat to regional peace and security,” as he requested the Security Council “to act decisively to prevent a disastrous war between Pakistan and India.”
Qureshi also reaffirmed Pakistan’s willingness to continue its efforts and support for Kashmir and be the voice of Kashmiri people at every forum, Farooqui said.
UN Security Council has 'serious concerns' over Kashmir — Foreign Office
https://arab.news/mz67n
UN Security Council has 'serious concerns' over Kashmir — Foreign Office
- Wednesday’s session on Kashmir was held on Pakistan’s request
- FM Qureshi urged UN to ‘prevent a disastrous war between Pakistan and India’
Pakistan, Iran resolve to strengthen trade cooperation, work for regional peace
- Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar speaks to Iranian counterpart Seyyed Abbas Araghchi
- Pakistan, Iran have attempted to enhance bilateral trade to $10 billion in recent years
ISLAMABAD: The foreign ministers of Iran and Pakistan vowed on Sunday to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, connectivity, various other sectors and work for regional peace, the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement.
Pakistan and Iran have attempted to enhance bilateral trade and commerce in recent years. The two neighbors have set up border markets and discussed barter trade to get around banking and currency restrictions.
Sanctions and foreign exchange shortages remain key hurdles for Iran, making barter systems and cross-border markets central to its trade strategy with Pakistan.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister, spoke to Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi over the phone on Sunday during which the two discussed regional developments.
“Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in trade, connectivity and people-to-people ties, and reiterated their resolve to work closely together for regional peace and development,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.
Pakistan and Iran have attempted to enhance bilateral trade to $10 billion. However, apart from sanctions and foreign exchange shortages, ties between the two countries remain complicated due to security issues.
Pakistan and Iran have remained at odds over instability along their shared, porous border that even led to a missile exchange between them in 2024. Both countries, however, were quick to move to ease tensions.
Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian visited Pakistan in August this year, during which the two countries signed agreements to enhance bilateral trade to $10 billion by 2028.
Both countries have also consistently criticized Israel for its war on Gaza and repeated violations of a fragile ceasefire brokered by world powers, including the US.
