Islamabad, Pakistan reiterated its call on Friday for India to be held accountable for human rights abuses in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Over the last three decades, more than 7,000 Kashmiris have died in Indian custody, according to the Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch.
Baloch emphasized the urgent need for accountability, citing the recent death of a Kashmiri civilian in a police station in IIOJK’s Pulwama district. Pakistan continues to provide political, diplomatic, and moral support to the Kashmiri people for a just and peaceful resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with UN Security Council resolutions.
In addition to addressing the situation in IIOJK, Pakistan’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2025-2026 was highlighted. With overwhelming support from 182 UN General Assembly members, particularly the Asia Pacific Group, Pakistan expressed its gratitude and commitment to playing a role in promoting peace and stability.
The spokesperson condemned the bombing of Israeli forces on a UN-run school sheltering Palestinian refugees, which resulted in multiple deaths, mostly women and children. Baloch described the deliberate targeting of civilian populations and facilities as a violation of international law and war crimes.
Further developments included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar’s upcoming one-day visit to Istanbul for an extraordinary meeting of the D8 Council of Foreign Ministers to discuss the situation in Gaza. The D8 foreign ministers will focus on the international community’s shared responsibility to secure an urgent and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.
The article also mentioned the passing of Tunisian Ambassador Borhene El Kamel in Islamabad, offering condolences to the Tunisian government and the ambassador’s family. Additionally, the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China was highlighted, where both countries signed 23 Memorandums of Understanding to deepen bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
During their discussions, Pakistan and China reaffirmed their commitment to the high-quality development of CPEC and the timely completion of ongoing projects. They also pledged to protect CPEC from detractors and adversaries, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasizing the safety and security of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan.