Islamabad, Pakistan – The ongoing human rights abuses in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have prompted Pakistan to reiterate its call for India to be held accountable. In the last three decades, over 7,000 Kashmiris have reportedly died while in the custody of Indian forces, bringing attention to the need for justice and resolution in the conflict-torn region.
During a recent press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch condemned the reported death of a Kashmiri civilian at a police station in IIOJK’s Pulwama district. Baloch emphasized the importance of holding perpetrators of such crimes accountable and reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people in seeking a just and peaceful resolution within the framework of the UN Security Council resolutions.
In addition to addressing the situation in IIOJK, Baloch highlighted Pakistan’s recent election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2025-2026. With overwhelming support from 182 members of the UN General Assembly, Pakistan aims to play a pivotal role in promoting peaceful resolutions of disputes, opposing unilateral force, combating terrorism, supporting peacekeeping efforts, and fostering democracy and accountability on the global stage.
Baloch also condemned the recent bombing of an UN-run school in Gaza by Israeli forces, resulting in the tragic deaths of numerous women and children. The deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian facilities, including an earlier attack on an IDP camp, is viewed as a grave violation of international law and constitutes war crimes.
Furthermore, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar is set to attend an extraordinary meeting of the D8 Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul to address the escalating situation in Gaza. The urgent need for an unconditional ceasefire, the lifting of the siege, and humanitarian relief for the Palestinian people will be key topics of discussion among D8 foreign ministers.
The passing of Tunisian Ambassador Borhene El Kamel in Islamabad due to illness prompted expressions of condolences and sympathies from Pakistan to the Tunisian government and the ambassador’s grieving family. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China resulted in the signing of 23 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including transport infrastructure, industry, energy, agriculture, media, health, and water. Both Pakistan and China reaffirmed their commitment to the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and pledged to protect it from detractors to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan.