Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Saturday said that China supported Pakistan's decision to take up the Indian government's August 5 illegal actions with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on which the two sides are working jointly. Speaking at a news conference after returning from his two-day trip to China, the Foreign Minister said it is a technical issue and requires an extensive deliberation which is under way. He said there are different aspects and options with regard to taking up the matter with the UNSC and consultations are under way as to which option should be acted upon.
After Modi government's illegal actions, he said the first important step was to take China, being the permanent member of the Security Council, into confidence. "Without taking the consent and resolve of China, it's not even possible to take a step towards this end [UNSC]. The consultation with China has been done and they have definitely given its assent," Qureshi said.
He said that China has assured full support to Pakistan's stance on Kashmir issue at the UNSC, adding that Beijing recognizes occupied Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory which poses a threat to regional peace.
Qureshi said that China has directed its representative at the United Nations in New York to keep a close liaison with Pakistani diplomats on the issue, adding that the two countries have also nominated their focal persons at director general's level in this regard.
He said that China has a clear stance that India has taken a unilateral step in occupied Jammu and Kashmir which is illegal and against the norms of international law, adding that Beijing wants the resolution of the issue in accordance with the UNSC resolutions.
Qureshi said India is trying to create an impression before the international community that it is an internal matter but the international community knows the reality.
He said Pakistan's apprehensions have proved true that the human rights situation in occupied Kashmir will further deteriorate and Indian forces have subjected the Kashmiri people to worst brute force.
The Foreign Minister said it is the sixth consecutive day of curfew and there are reports of acute shortage of food, medicines and other essential commodities in IOK. He said protest demonstrations reports are also coming from Ladakh where people have rejected Indian government's decision.
The Foreign Minister said occupation Indian forces are using brute force including pellet guns to suppress protest demonstrations in the held territory. He further said that Pakistan is also considering more options including approaching UN Human Rights Council if the situation gets further deteriorated in the occupied valley.
To a question, Qureshi said that after the August 5 actions, India itself has invited Pakistan to proceed towards multilateralism from bilateralism on resolution of the outstanding issues, adding that the Modi government has attacked the spirit of the Simla agreement under which the two countries had agreed to resolve the issue bilaterally. He said that Pakistan has never opposed resolving the issue bilaterally.
He out-rightly rejected a military option, describing it "ignorance and stupidity" to talk about a military option. "But be assured, we will defend our country at all costs if we were imposed any aggression, as we reserve the right to defend our country," Qureshi responded to a question, adding that after February 26, Pakistan's response was in defence and it was not aggressor while shooting down two Indian aircraft on February 27, 2019.
To a question about the arrest of PML-N's vice president Maryam Nawaz, the foreign minister declined to comment, saying: "Right now I am sending the message of unification".
He also called upon the political leadership of the country to avoid any division at this critical stage, adding that the situation is worsening following India's illegal actions on August 5.
"I hope our political leadership will rise up to the occasion," he said, adding that Kashmiris need a united voice from Pakistan in their solidarity at this difficult time.
To another question about Russia's stance allegedly terming the Indian government actions its internal matter, Qureshi said that the news report in this regard is baseless, adding that our ambassador in Russia has confirmed that the news was fake.
He further said that outreach to the world is continuing and Prime Minister is contacting various world leaders. Qureshi said that he himself is contacting his counterparts in a number of countries, including Indonesia and Poland.
He further said the Prime Minister will also visit New York in September to address the UN General Assembly session where he would forcefully raise Pakistan's stance and the cause of Kashmir people at the world platform.
Meanwhile, a press release issued by the Foreign Office stated that Qureshi held wide-ranging consultations with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.
Qureshi highlighted the recent illegal Indian actions and stressed that no unilateral step could change the internationally recognized disputed nature of IOK. The Foreign Minister also highlighted the grave danger posed by illegal Indian actions to regional peace and security.
He further shared deep concern about the total clampdown of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir by Indian security forces and the humanitarian crisis resulting there from the situation.
The Foreign Minister further underlined that as part of its reckless approach there could be some false flag operation and Pakistan blamed on the fake pretext of "terrorism".
Qureshi stressed that the disputed nature of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir was enshrined in the UNSC resolutions, which envisaged the framework for a final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir dispute based on a free and fair plebiscite under the auspices of the UN. The Chinese side expressed serious concern over the situation arising from India's unilateral actions. The Chinese Foreign Minister added that the Kashmir issue is a dispute since colonial days and that it should be resolved peacefully based on the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreement.
The Foreign Ministers agreed that both sides would closely coordinate and consult each other on the evolving developments. Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Qureshi chaired a consultative meeting of former foreign secretaries upon his return from China. Qureshi apprised the former foreign secretaries on his discussions with the Chinese leadership and also took inputs from them with regard to the future course of action.
Speaking to them, Qureshi said the international community and humanitarian organisations should immediately take notice of grave situation in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
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