Opening Statement of MoFA Spokesperson’s weekly Press Briefing on 29th October 2020

Assalaam-o-Alaikum and Welcome to the Weekly Press Briefing of the Foreign Office

Let me begin with the Kashmir Black Day, observed in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Pakistan and all over the world on 27 October 2020.

The Day reminds us of the landing of Indian occupation forces in Srinagar 73 years ago, and the atrocities that the people of IIOJK continue to endure ever since.

The day also reminds us of the deepening humanitarian crisis in IIOJK – a scar on the collective conscience of the world community

In his message on the Black Day, Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned Indian illegal occupation and reiterated Pakistan`s unwavering support to the Kashmiri people.

Highlighting the grave human rights situation in IIOJK, the Prime Minister urged the international community to take practical steps to stop India from using state-terrorism as a tool to further oppress the Kashmiri people and to destabilize the region.

In his message, the President emphasized that India`s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 have been rejected by the Kashmiri people, by Pakistan, and by the international community for being in violation of International law and the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

The Foreign Minister in his message called for urgent lifting of the military siege and media blackout, immediate cessation of the violations of human rights of Kashmiri people, release of the incarcerated Kashmiri leaders and youth, and end to the impunity granted to Indian occupation forces under draconian laws.

On Kashmir Black Day, voices were raised in support of the Kashmiri people all across the globe.

Protests rallies and demonstrations were held in Birmingham, Brussels, Ecuador, France, Germany, London, Spain, South Africa, Stockholm Tokyo, Vienna and many other cities.

Seminars and exhibitions were organized in all key capitals and cities of the world.

The Indian Chargé d’Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to register Pakistan’s strong protest on the occasion of Kashmir Black Day.

Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the Illegal Indian occupation and continuing human rights violations by the Indian occupation forces in IIOJK was conveyed to the Indian side.
Coming to Islamphobia,

Pakistan strongly condemns the systematic resurgence of blasphemous acts of republication of caricatures of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) and desecration of the Holy Quran by certain irresponsible elements in some developed countries.

We are further alarmed at the highly disturbing statements by certain politicians justifying such heinous acts under the garb of freedom of expression and equating Islam with terrorism, for narrow electoral and political gains.

Pakistan has always supported and continues to lead international efforts for combating intolerance, discrimination and violence on the basis of religion or belief.

At a time of rising racism and populism, the international community must show a common resolve against xenophobia, intolerance, stigmatization and incitement to violence on the basis of religion or belief.

Both Houses of the Parliament of Pakistan, the Senate and the National Assembly, unanimously passed resolutions, condemning the resurgence of Islamophobic acts and desecration of Holy Quran in some countries.

As part of his continued engagement, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi held telephonic conversations with his counterparts from Afghanistan and Turkey.

Talking to his Turkish counterpart, the Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction at mutual collaboration between the two countries at multilateral fora.

He reiterated Pakistan’s appreciation for the principled stance taken by Turkey on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and Turkey’s steadfast support in this regard.

Two Foreign Ministers agreed to remain in touch on issues of concern to the Muslim Ummah, including the rising Islamophobia.

The Turkish Foreign Minister appreciated the principled stance taken by the Prime Minister of Pakistan on the issue of Islamophobia.

While talking to his Afghan counterpart, the Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan’s support for a peaceful, united and stable Afghanistan and highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to the Afghan peace process.

Speaker of Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga, Mir Rahman Rahmani, accompanied by a high-level delegation, undertook a three-day bilateral visit from 23-25 October 2020.

Mr. Rahmani also participated in two days long “Pakistan-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Forum 2020 – Partnership for Mutual Benefit” seminar in Islamabad.

During his meeting with Mr. Rehmani, Foreign Minister Qureshi emphasized the significance of inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.

On the bilateral plane, the Foreign Minister stressed the importance of APAPPS, as a platform to effectively deal with all important issues, including economy, trade, investment, security, intelligence and the Afghan refugees.

Pakistan strongly condemns the drone attacks launched towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Houthi militia yesterday.
Pakistan appreciates the successful interception of the drones, which prevented the loss of innocent lives.

Pakistan reiterates its full support and solidarity with Saudi Arabia against any threats to its security and territorial integrity.

On the regional security, Pakistan has taken note of the signing of the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) between India and the United States.

Pakistan has been consistently highlighting the threats posed to strategic stability in South Asia as a result of provision of advanced military hardware, technologies and knowledge to India.

India’s massive acquisition of armaments and expansion of its nuclear forces, including introduction of new destabilizing weapon systems, are developments with serious repercussions for peace and stability in South Asia.

These developments clearly negate the argument that India’s mainstreaming in the international export control regimes will further the non-proliferation objectives of these regimes.

Pakistan categorically rejects the Indian government’s illegal amendments in land ownership laws in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) promulgated under “J&K Re-organisation (Adaptation of Central Laws) Third Order, 2020”.

The highly condemnable Indian action is yet another clear violation of the UN Security Council resolutions, bilateral agreements between Pakistan and India and international law.

India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019, and subsequent measures, particularly the domicile law and now the land ownership laws, are aimed at changing the demographic structure of IIOJK to convert the Kashmiris into a minority in their own land.

The United Nations and the international community must take immediate action to stop India from changing the demography and distinct identity of IIOJK and facilitate resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as per the relevant UNSC Resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The continued crackdown against minorities, human rights organizations, media, and independent voices in India and IIOJK is a matter of grave concern.

Pakistan expresses its deep concerns over the raids by Indi’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) on offices and residences of journalists and human rights activists and non-profit organizations, including Coalition of Civil Society, Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons, and Greater Kashmir newspaper in IIOJK.

The Human Rights activists, members of the civil society, NGOs, and journalists have been booked under the draconian Unlawful Activities Prohibition Act (UAPA).

The BJP regime’s actions are another manifestation of India’s extremist agenda and its frustration over international censure for its illegal actions and grave human rights violations in IIOJK and in India.

Pakistan strongly condemns the continuing belligerent anti-Pakistan rhetoric of India’s civil and military leadership.

In recent provocative and irresponsible statements, the Indian National Security Adviser has implied organising attacks inside neighbouring countries.

His “offensive-defence” doctrine can be defined simply as “stoking terrorism in the neighbouring countries”.

Since his assumption of office of NSA, Indian footprints in terrorist activities in Pakistan have substantially increased.

We have also seen the highly irresponsible and belligerent statement made by BJP’s Uttar Pardesh Chief Dev Sing, saying Prime Minister Modi has decided when the country would be at war with China and Pakistan”.

Unfortunately, in response to any geopolitical, economic or military setback, instead of learning from its mistakes, RSS-BJP leadership simply doubles down its hostile rhetoric.

Pakistan calls upon the international community to take notice of these irresponsible and bellicose remarks and activities of the Indian NSA and BJP leadership causing instability in the neighbouring countries.

India will find the leadership, the people and armed forces of Pakistan ready in the event of any misadventure against its territories as evidently demonstrated in February last year.