Muhammad Asad
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan expressed its solidarity with Indian People during their battle against Coronavirus pandemic and ready to extend all possible help in this regard. It was observed by the Spokesperson Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Mr. Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry during weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday.
He said our best wishes are with Indian people who are facing gave challenge of pandemic who hit hard the whole region. Mr. Chaudhry also expressed deep concern over the health and safety of the incarcerated Kashmiri leaders as well as other innocent Kashmiris, suffering in jails across India on lame charges.
He observed that most of the Indian jails are overcrowded and don’t have any provision for precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic. According the him, the imprisoned Kashmiri leaders includingAasiya Andrabi, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Ashraf Sehrai, Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam, Altaf Ahmed Shah, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Raja MerajuddinKalwal, Syed Shahid Yousuf, Shakeel Ahmed, Farooq Ahmed Dar, Fehmeeda Sofi, Nahida Nasreen, Zahoor Ahmed and others are in different jails right of India.
According to Chaudhry, some of the Kashmiri leaders in Indian jails have already contracted Corona virus and they were not provided any medical treatment by the Indian government. He called on the Indian Government to immediately release the incarcerated Kashmiri leadership and all innocent Kashmiris from unjust prison.
While responding to media query regarding rumors of Pakistan India ongoing contacts in the backdrop of recent cease fire understanding on LoC, Mr. Chaudhry said that Pakistan never shied away from talks with India and remain willing for a meaningful and fruitful dialogue for resolution of all outstanding disputes, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
While commenting on mediation or facilitation by a third country in Pakistan India dialogues, he said that Pakistan always welcome the third country role between Pakistan and India including the United States because the international community can play an important role in resolution of longstanding issues between the two states.
He further noted that India had shattered the situation of IIOJK through its unilateral and illegal actions of August 5, which led to the complete denial of human and citizenry rights of the people of IIOJK.
So, it is the onus of India to create enabling and conducive environment for talks.
He observed that Pakistan did not accept and recognize article-370 and 35A of the Indian constitution as Kashmir is not a part of India but a forcefully occupied territory according to UN Charter.
While answering a question regarding Indian response to Pakistan offer for provision of COVID-19 relief equipment to India, Mr. Chaudhry informed the media men that Pakistan offered this help through diplomatic channel and so far no response has been received from Indian side, however Pakistan is fully ready to provide said item to India at earliest. He also mentioned that Pakistani authorities are ready to further collaborate with India in COVID-19 related situation in India to help save precious human lives from the clutches of Coronavirus pandemic.
While commenting on the case of alleged coronavirus infection to the Sikh Yatrees from India, he replied that the visit of Indian Sikhs yatrees took place under COVID related health safety protocols strictly in line with the guidelines provided by the NCOC to the department concerned.
While responding to a question regarding Dr. Aafia, Mr. Chaudhry noted that Pakistan Mission in Washington DC and Consulate General in Houston are continuously in contact with US Authorities and no response had been received from them so far, however, as per Vienna convention, it is the duty of host government to inform parent country regarding any such occurrence with the inmates in its prison.
While responding to a query regarding potential threat to Afghanistan peace and stability in the post US scenario, Mr. Chaudhry said that Pakistan has been consistently supporting an ‘orderly’ and ‘responsible’ withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, leaving no security vacuum that could be exploited by spoilers.
According to him, the withdrawal should coincide with the progress in the overall peace process to avoid such situation. He further added that Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role in this regard.
While responding a query regarding a statement by US Special Envoy Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad about Pakistan’s influence on Taliban, Mr. Chaudhry noted that Pakistan has always maintained that it does not control Taliban.
However, it will continue encouraging them to remain engaged in the peace process leading to an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan.
Pakistanin good faith, facilitated the Afghan peace process at all stages including US-Taliban Peace Agreement, Intra-Afghan Negotiations, the Agreement on Rules and Procedures between the Afghan parties in Doha. According to him, Pakistan’s role has been acknowledged by the international community.
While responding to a query regarding Pakistan designation as Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), Mr. Chaudhry noted that the report’s findings on Pakistan lack objectivity besides making unproven assertions.
While responding to a query regarding Pakistan Embassy Riyadh, Mr. Chaudhry said that under the order of the Prime Minister Imran Khan a high-power inquiry has been ordered to look into matter of the Pakistan Embassy Riyadh.
In this connection, six officers have been issued recall orders, who were working in diplomatic, community welfare and consular wings of the Embassy. Mr. Chaudhry further underscored that government of Pakistan attaches high importance to the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and has zero tolerance in this regard. Presently, FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi himself oversaw the working of all diplomatic missions particularly with regards to the services being provided to the Pakistani community across the world.
