The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have expressed concerns over the worsening humanitarian situation in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and would remain engaged to help address the current challenges and defuse the tensions between Pakistan and India. The concerns, according to a statement of the PM House, were shared by the visiting foreign ministers of the two Arab states - Adel Al Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of the UAE - who met Prime Minister Imran Khan during a joint call on after arriving in the country jointly for a daylong visit.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi received the two foreign ministers at Noor Khan Airbase. "The visiting dignitaries said they are visiting Pakistan at the directions of their leadership. They reaffirmed the strategic significance of the relationship of KSA and the UAE with Pakistan," the PM Office said.
It further stated that they also acknowledged Pakistan's role and efforts in promoting and maintaining regional peace and stability. "They [Saudi and the UAE] fully understood the anguish of the people of Pakistan over the recent developments and were concerned over the worsening humanitarian situation in IOJ&K," it stated, adding that both countries would remain engaged to help address the current challenges, defuse tensions and promote an environment of peace and security. It stated that the main focus of the discussion was on the situation arising from India's illegal and unilateral actions in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan's deep concern over the worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in IOJ&K because of the month-long complete lockdown and communications blackout in the occupied territory.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of immediate lifting of curfew, removal of restrictions on movement and communications, and respect for the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people. Prime Minister Imran Khan further underscored that India's actions are a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions and international law. "There is a genuine fear of a false flag operation to divert the world's attention from India's illegal actions and intensified repression of Kashmiris," the Prime Minister further told the visiting foreign ministers. Prime Minister Khan said that India's actions have created grave risks for peace and security in the region, adding that the international community has the responsibility to urge India to halt and reverse its illegal actions and aggressive policies and postures. The Prime Minister added that Saudi Arabia and the UAE have an important role in this regard. Earlier, the two foreign ministers held talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the Foreign Office and held detailed discussions on India's August 5 illegal and unilateral actions and the current situation in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Talking to the state television after the meeting, Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed the confidence that after the talks, the perception that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are not standing behind Pakistan, has come to an end. "We are hopeful that unlike the past, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will not disappoint us," Qureshi further stated. The foreign minister said that he presented Pakistan's clear stance on India's illegal actions, as Pakistan has rejected these unilateral steps. He said that the two foreign ministers also agreed to meet on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session later this month for a meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir to discuss the situation in the occupied valley.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, in their meeting with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the situation in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) was the major focus.
Qureshi apprised the two dignitaries in detail on Pakistan's concerns over the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in IOJ&K that has been exacerbated by India's illegal and unilateral action of 5 August 2019.
The foreign minister underlined that these actions are a clear violation of international law, UN Security Council resolutions, bilateral agreements (Simla) and its own solemn commitments since they are aimed at changing the globally acknowledged disputed status of IOJ&K and altering the occupied territory's demographic structure and identity. The foreign minister underscored that the indefensible lockdown and curfew in the occupied territory have entered fifth week, subjecting 9 million Kashmiris to unspeakable suffering.
Apart from these illegal actions, India's ceasefire violations on the Line of Control have intensified, Qureshi said, adding that to divert world's attention from the reign of terror unleashed against the Kashmiri people, there is possibility of staging a false flag operation by India. The foreign minister noted that cumulatively these Indian actions and postures have the real potential to seriously imperil peace and security of the region. At this particular time, the people of Pakistan and the Kashmiris expected strong support from the Muslim world. In this context, it is very important to give a clear and unambiguous signal of support and solidarity with the Kashmiri people.
"The visiting ministers underlined the strong bonds of Saudi Arabia and the UAE with Pakistan and the strategic salience of their relationships with Pakistan," it stated, adding that they reaffirmed their strong support and solidarity with the people of Pakistan.
With regard to the situation in IOJ&K, the ministers took full cognizance of Pakistan's perspective. It was agreed to work closely in OIC and other fora, it added.
AP adds: Gulf Arab countries have kept mostly silent on the issue, underpinned by more than $100 billion in annual trade with India that makes it one of the Arabian Peninsula's most prized economic partners. In a rare move, a single aircraft carried the two Arab diplomats - Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al Jubeir and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan - to Islamabad in what Pakistani authorities said was a symbolic show of unity.
Pakistani army spokesman Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor said Wednesday that the military will "fight to the last bullet and the last soldier" if all peaceful options fail to resolve the Kashmir issue. He spoke at a press conference in Rawalpindi.
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