MoFA spokesperson’s Opening Statement for Press Briefing on 23 July 2020

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It has been 353 days since the illegal and unilateral actions taken by India to annex an internationally recognized disputed territory. Brutalization and subjugation of innocent people in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir continues unabated. Fake encounters and phony cordon and search operations continue unabated. Martyrdom of Kashmiri youth such as Rauf Ahmed, Rayees Ahmed and Waleed Ahmad in Kulgam and Shopian districts in recent days continues unabated.

Ceasefire violations on the Line of Control and the Working Boundary targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars and automatic weapons also continues unabated. This year alone, India has committed 1732 ceasefire violations resulting in 14 shahadats and serious injuries to 134 innocent civilians.
Pakistan has always urged that independent human rights observers, and international media be permitted to get a first hand view of the situation in the IOJK and along the LoC. Pakistan has consistently called upon India to allow UNMOGIP access into IOJK in order to fully discharge its mandate given by the UN Security Council.
For its part, Pakistan has always provided unfettered access not only to UNMOGIP but to international media and independent observers.
Yesterday once again representatives from diverse international media outlets visited the LoC in the Chrikot Sector and witnessed for themselves the destruction and injuries caused to civilian population along the LoC. They also witnessed the multilayered surveillance and defense system along the LoC erected by India which completely negates the hollow allegations by senior most military and civilian officials of India and the constant propaganda by the Indian media against Pakistan on cross border infiltration and the so called launch pads.
Prime Minister Imran Khan held a telephonic conversation with Sheikh Hasina Wajid, Prime Minister of Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh, yesterday. The Prime Minister offered condolences on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan on the unfortunate loss of human lives in the recent flooding in Bangladesh and prayed for early recovery of the people affected by this natural calamity.
The Prime Minister underscored the importance Pakistan attaches to closer ties with the fraternal people of Bangladesh. He further highlighted the significance of regular bilateral contacts and people to people exchanges.
Prime Minister Imran Khan also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to SAARC, and underlined the importance of both countries working together for enhanced regional cooperation for sustainable peace and prosperity. Prime Minister Imran Khan also reiterated his cordial invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit Pakistan.
On 17th July, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi represented Pakistan at the High Level segment of the Economic and Social Council. In his address, the Foreign Minister expressed deep concern over the oppression and atrocities being perpetrated against the people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K). He further highlighted three simultaneous challenges that were being faced by the world currently i.e. “fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, achieving the 2030 Agenda and preventing climate catastrophe.” To meet these challenges, the Foreign Minister stressed upon the need to restore the central role of ECOSOC to promote “better standards of life in larger freedoms.” He pledged that Pakistan would take a leading role to promote these objectives during its forthcoming Presidency of the Economic and Social Council.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a telephonic conversation with the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Foreign Ministers discussed matters of mutual interest, particularly the efforts being undertaken by both the countries to control the Covid-19 pandemic, and development of a vaccine in collaboration with global partners. Foreign Minister Qureshi also congratulated the leadership and the people of the UAE on successful launch of the first Arab interplanetary Mission.
On 17th July, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Institute of Health (NIH) jointly launched two sets of documents, namely (i) Code of Conduct for Life Scientists 2020 and (ii) National Guidelines for Collection, Storage and Export of Human Biological Materials 2020”. The purpose of the two documents is to specify guidelines for responsible conduct of stakeholders linked to life sciences in Pakistan. The two documents further strengthen Pakistan’s implementation of its national legislative requirements and international obligations and are consistent with the latest global standards and best practices.
Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood held a second Round of Bilateral Political Consultations with Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Lou Zhaohui via video-link. During the Consultations a wide range of issues were discussed including Pakistan-China bilateral ties, regional security situation, deepening co-operation in wake of Covid-19, CPEC, and further solidifying bilateral economic co-operation.

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