ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday said that it had noted the renewed clashes at China-India border, saying India's belligerent policies seeking to unilaterally change borders with neighbours continue to pose a threat to peace and security of the region.
"We have noted the reports of renewed clashes at China-India border areas." "We believe that the clashes happened as China was negotiating with India to resolve the conflict peacefully and through agreed mechanisms," Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said, while responding to media queries during her weekly briefing.
She said that India's belligerent policies and actions seeking to unilaterally change borders with neighbours continue to pose a threat to peace and security of the region, and undermine the efforts aimed at promoting stability and development in the region.
Farooqui further stated that the Indian State's proclivity to violence was no secret, which was a direct consequence of its headlong militarization and unbridled hegemonic ambitions.
She said that India had routinely used aggression in seeking to coerce its neighbours, adding that New Delhi had employed terrorism, at one time or another, as state policy to destabilise every neighbouring state.
It has border disputes with all of its neighbours, Farooqui added.
"India's so-called "5-S approach" in the UN Security Council is only a smoke-screen to mask the arrogant, belligerent and confrontationist side of India. Perhaps India would do well to consider another "S" i.e. Satya or truth: The truth of Indian oppression, aggression and occupation, which cannot be covered up by false espousals," the spokesperson said, while referring to India's "priorities" for the next two years after it was elected as non-permanent member of the council on Wednesday.
She also congratulated Ireland, Norway and Mexico on their election to the council as non-permanent members for two-year term.
However, Farooqui raised questions on the election of India, saying its election raises fundamental questions.
She asserted that the UN Charter had entrusted the Security Council with primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.
Farooqui said that the charter stipulates that in discharging this responsibility, on behalf of the member states, the council shall act in accordance with the purposes, and principles of the United Nations.
This is the touchstone for the council's credibility and legitimacy, she added.
"India stands in flagrant violation of several resolutions of the Security Council that prescribed an UN-supervised plebiscite to enable the people of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise their fundamental right to self-determination," she added.
Farooqui said that India's gross and systematic violations of human rights in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) had been extensively documented by the international human rights and humanitarian organisations as well as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in its successive reports.
India has incarcerated eight million Kashmiris, including top Kashmiri leadership, with 900,000 occupation troops, she added.
Farooqui further stated that Indian actions in the IOJ&K and beyond were fundamental negation of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, adding that New Delhi was a consistent violator of the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
"Rather than felicitated, a country with such credentials must be held accountable," she said, while refusing to felicitate India on its election to the UNSC.
India must be asked to abide by the resolutions of the Security Council, she asserted.
Farooqui said that Pakistan would be working with rest of the members of the Security Council in advancing the objectives of international peace and security in South Asia and beyond.
To a question about Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa's recent visit to Kabul, she said that during the visit, General Bajwa met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chairman High Council for National Reconciliation of Afghanistan Dr Abdullah Abdullah.
The two sides discussed latest status of Afghan peace process, she said, adding that both the sides also agreed to a dignified and time bound return of Afghan refugees.
She said that President Ashraf Ghani thanked Pakistan for opening of Torkham and Chaman borders to allow Afghan transit goods, and facilitate Afghan nationals who wished to return to their country.
At present, Farooqui added that both Torkham and Chaman border crossing points were open for trade with Afghanistan, adding that Pakistan looked forward to the early resumption of normal bilateral trade that would facilitate traders on both sides.
About Pakistan's position on Hong Kong, she said that Islamabad's stance was consistent and clear.
"Pakistan adheres to One-China policy. Hong Kong is a part of China, and it is important for China to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and protect the lives of its citizens," she said.
"We reaffirm that matters related to Hong Kong are China's internal affairs. We believe it is important to uphold international law and adhere to the basic norm of non-interference," Farooqui added.
The spokesperson also stated that Pakistan strongly condemned the latest attempt by Houthi militia to target civilians in Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia.
"It is commendable that the bomb-laden UAV was successfully intercepted and destroyed. Pakistan reaffirms its full support and solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against any threats to its security and territorial integrity," she added.
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