Ex-colonel: FO expresses doubts over purported 'death certificate'

The Foreign Office on Thursday doubted the purported 'death certificate' of a missing retired Pakistan Army officer Col Habib Zahir (retd) as 'fake' and described the move as part of the drive of sensationalization being undertaken by hostile agencies against the country and its nationals.

"I have seen the death certificate, which looks fake. It is obviously a campaign of sensationalization being undertaken by hostile agencies against Pakistan and its nationals," Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said while commenting during his weekly media briefing on the reported death certificate of Col Zahir (retd).

He said the family of Col Habib Zahir and Pakistan remain extremely concerned about his whereabouts, who has been missing for more than two years from Lumbini, Nepal, five kilometers from the Nepal-India border.

Responding to a question about the reports that Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) founder leader is requesting Indian Prime Minister Modi to grant him asylum, he said it is a very serious issue of immense concern for Pakistan and a comprehensive response will be furnished later to give the official position.

Referring to the situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he said the humanitarian nightmare in IOJ&K is worsening with continued military lockdown and complete communications blackout for 110 consecutive days. He said that over 8 million people in the IOJ&K remain cut-off from the world, with continued concerns being raised about lack of medical supplies and other basic needs. He said that people of IOJ&K are not even allowed to offer Friday prayers at mosques. These inhuman and unilateral actions by India are continuing despite widespread international condemnations, he added.

"The Indian government should immediately restore internet and mobile phone services, release all prisoners, especially civil society members and the abducted young children, remove Public Safety Act and other draconian laws, and allow the independent media and international human rights observers to visit the region to independently observe the situation of the Kashmiri people," he added.

He also urged the international community, the United Nations, and human rights organizations to take notice of the brutal suppression of the religious rights and freedom of the Kashmiri people in utter violation of international laws and conventions.

He said the Indian government cannot suppress the aspirations of the people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir for exercising the right to self-determination as enshrined in the UN Security Council Resolutions.

He further said that Pakistan welcomes the public hearing on human rights in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir held by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the US Congress, held on 14 November 2019 at Washington DC.

Responding to another question, he said rising extremism in India is a matter of serious concern not only for the world but also for sections within India.

He said it is the right time for Indian civil society, media and politicians to introspect that on which way they are embarking, especially regarding minorities and the people of Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir.

About the reports of opening Siachen for the tourists by the Indian government, he said that Siachen is a conflict zone between Pakistan and India. However, he stated that he only got to know through the Indian media reports and has not seen any official statement by the Indian government.

On the reports that India is making hindrance in the visit of Sikh pilgrims via Kartarpur Corridor, he said the government of Pakistan has already agreed to receive 5,000 pilgrims per day from the Corridor. However, there are some reports of Indian reluctance and creation of problems for the Yatrees, he said, adding that the government of Pakistan remains committed to implementing the agreement in letter and spirit.

Responding to another question, he said that Pakistan has always desired to have good neighborly relations with India and has maintained that all issues between the two countries including the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, should be addressed through dialogue and negotiations.

However, the Indian side has always been vacillating, he said, adding that with its illegal and unilateral actions taken on 5th August 2019, India has made it extremely difficult to move forward.

"Because of Indian obduracy, we could not move on improving people to people contacts, reviving the composite dialogue and discussing the opening of other sacred places. All these things cannot be done by Pakistan alone," he said in response to whether the government would also open the Hindu holy places in Azad Jammu and Kashmir for the Hindu pilgrims from India.

About the Israeli illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, he said that Pakistan's position regarding illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories remains unchanged, in line with several UN Security Council resolutions especially Resolutions 465 (1980), 1860 (2009) and more recently resolution 2334 adopted in December 2016. "We consider that all Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law and it would further hamper the viability of the two-state solution [plan] and the prospects of a lasting peace in the region," he said.

Commenting on the recent election in Sri Lanka, he said that Pakistan appreciates the conduct of a free, fair and peaceful election by the election commission and the government of Sri Lanka. "The leadership of Pakistan looks forward to working with the new President and his team to further strengthen the already strong relationship between the two countries," he said, adding that the government of Pakistan expresses the resolve to further fortify the fraternal ties and to take this vital partnership to a new level.