Islamabad, Pakistan— Pakistan has once again called on India to be held accountable for the alleged human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where thousands of Kashmiri civilians have reportedly died while in the custody of Indian forces over the past three decades.
During a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch reiterated Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri people in their quest for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with UN Security Council resolutions. Baloch highlighted a recent incident involving the death of a Kashmiri civilian at a police station in IIOJK’s Pulwama district, emphasizing that such custodial deaths should not go unpunished.
In addition to addressing the situation in IIOJK, Baloch also touched upon Pakistan’s recent election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2025-2026. She expressed gratitude for the support of 182 members of the UN General Assembly, noting that Pakistan would work towards peaceful dispute resolution, opposing unilateral force, combating terrorism, supporting peacekeeping efforts, and promoting democracy and transparency.
Furthermore, Baloch condemned the bombing of a UN-run school in Gaza by Israeli forces, which resulted in the deaths of numerous Palestinian civilians. She denounced the deliberate targeting of civilians and called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
The spokesperson also announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar would be attending an extraordinary meeting of the D8 Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul to address the situation in Gaza. The meeting aims to discuss the urgent need for a ceasefire and humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza, highlighting the shared responsibility of the international community in bringing an end to the conflict.
Baloch emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to supporting China during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ongoing visit, where both countries signed numerous Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to deepen bilateral cooperation in various sectors. The discussions also focused on the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and ensuring the safety and security of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan.