Diamer-Bhasha Dam: Pakistan rejects India's 'concerns'

Pakistan on Thursday rejected India's 'concerns' over construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam in Gilgit-Baltistan, saying that 'India does not have any locus standi in the matter and cannot raise objections to the project'.

Speaking at her weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui asserted that Pakistan's position on the matter was consistent, clear and based on principles, and precepts of international law.

"We reject the Indian statement...India does not have any locus standi in the matter and cannot raise objections to the project," she added.

In recent acts of state terrorism during the consecutive 291 days of continued operation and inhuman lockdown in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Farooqui said that the Indian occupation forces during yet another "fake encounter" and so-called cordon and search operation torched 15 houses and martyred four Kashmiris in Srinagar and Doda areas.

"The collective punishment of innocent communities is a further reflection of heartless brutalization of Kashmiri people and tantamount to war crimes," she said.

Farooqui also reiterated Pakistan's strong condemnation and rejection of the Indian government's sinister design to further deprive the people of IOJ&K through "Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure), 2020."

"This domicile law is aimed at changing the demographic structure of IoJ&K and undermining the exercise by the Kashmiri people of their right to self-determination through free and impartial plebiscite in accordance with the UNSC resolutions," she said.

Farooqui further said that the timing of this illegal Indian action in the midst of Covid-19 pandemic was particularly reprehensible and reflects the opportunistic and morally bankrupt mindset of the RSS-BJP combine.

She pointed out that voices from around the world continue to condemn the inhuman oppression of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and discrimination against minority communities in India.

Farooqui said that the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng also expressed concerns over increased hate speech, dehumanization and discrimination against minority communities in India in contravention of international human rights norms and values.

She said that Pakistan also welcomed the recent statement issued by the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the OIC strongly condemning and categorically rejecting the Indian government's recently introduced 'Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure) Rules' to alter demographics of IOJ&K and termed it as `Settlement Colonialism` in violation of the OIC, UNSC resolutions, fourth Geneva Convention, International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.

To a query, Farooqui said that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and Palestinian issue continue to be the longest standing items on the UN and OIC agenda.

The attempts being made by the occupying powers in Palestine and Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are essentially similar, particularly with reference to human rights violations, seeking to alter the demographic structure, and posing threat to peace and security.

Both these situations are worsening and call for urgent attention of the international community, she added.

Referring to the political deal between Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, she said that Pakistan welcomed the signing of the agreement regarding formation of inclusive government and the High Council of National Reconciliation.

At this critical juncture, Farooqui added that it was vitally important that all Afghan leaders work together constructively in the supreme interest of the Afghan people and help bring lasting peace and stability to the country affected by decades of violence and conflict.

While reaffirming Pakistan's abiding solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, she reiterated the country's commitment to continue to support a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and its neighbours.

On India's role in the Afghan peace process, Farooqui said that Taliban had already issued a statement on the issue.

For its part, she added that Pakistan had regularly reminded international community to be watchful of the role and machination of spoilers working against establishment of lasting peace in Afghanistan.

Responding to a question, Farooqui said that following the signing of the US-Taliban peace agreement, the Afghan peace process had gained momentum, adding that it was extremely critical to focus on the implementation of the peace agreement in order to arrive at broad-based and inclusive settlement in Afghanistan.

At the same time, she asserted that it was also important to guard against spoilers working against the peace process.

About the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis abroad, Farooqui said that the special flights of the PIA continue to bring stranded Pakistanis back from various countries, adding that so far 32,883 Pakistani nationals had been repatriated from 39 countries.

She said that the repatriation process would continue as per the comprehensive plan.

"We thank the governments and relevant authorities in these countries for their cooperation for the smooth repatriation of our nationals," Farooqui added.

She pointed out that, a special PIA flight carrying 274 Pakistani students from Wuhan city in China arrived in Islamabad on 18 May 2020.

During the period of lockdown in Wuhan, she said that the Chinese authorities took extraordinary measures to ensure the safety and security of the Pakistani students.

"The Government of Pakistan highly appreciates the efforts of the government and people of China for extending full support and co-operation to our students," she added.