The Federal Cabinet on Friday completely rejected Indian claims of carrying out "surgical strikes" in Azad Kashmir and stated that people and leadership are united to counter any aggressive Indian designs. A meeting of the federal Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held with primary agenda item for discussion on Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir as well as latest cease-fire violations of the Line of Control stated that Indian occupation forces have resorted to unprovoked firing on the LoC in total violation of India's commitments under bilateral arrangements as well as international law.
The members of the federal cabinet before the meeting stated that India was employing these tactics to divert world attention from its atrocities against the innocent people of Kashmir. Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz stated that support to the just struggle of the Kashmiri people would remain priority of Pakistan and it would not back down on this account.
The Cabinet meeting began with offering Fateha on martyrdom of two personnel of army and lauded the brave forces for giving a befitting response to the Indian aggression. The meeting regretted provocative statements of the Indian leadership blaming Pakistan for the Uri attack without any evidence, and completely rejected these. "Indian statements and actions are aimed to deflect international community's attention from the situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir" the Cabinet added. The meeting also noted that that Indian Prime Minister's statements have provided fresh evidence of Indian involvement in subversive and terrorist activities in Pakistan, which is a clear contravention of the UN Charter and international law.
The Cabinet meeting expressed deep concern over the continued killings and grave human rights violations in the IOK and stated "Indian Occupation Forces have killed more than 110 innocent civilians, including women, children and elderly persons". The meeting valued the courage, valour and commitment of the Kashmiri people in their just struggle for the realisation of the right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions. The Cabinet reiterated Pakistan's call for a free, fair and impartial investigation into the killings of innocent civilians under the UN auspices.
The Federal Cabinet called upon the international community to take notice of the massive human rights violations being perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting also welcomed the decision of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to send a Fact Finding Mission to the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The Cabinet expressed Pakistan's unwavering commitment to provide political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and decided to continue to highlight Indian brutalities, excesses and state sponsored terrorism in IOK at the international level.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that Pakistan's commitment to peace must not be construed as weakness. In case of any aggression or violation of LoC, Pakistan will take all necessary steps to protect its people and territorial integrity. The Prime Minister, at the very beginning of the meeting, said that we want to expend our energies on the betterment and welfare of our people, and the development of our country. He said that his government is committed to eliminating poverty and unemployment.
Prime Minister stated that to achieve these goals, peace is essential. However, we would defend our homeland against any aggression. The entire nation is standing shoulder to shoulder with our armed forces. Kashmir is the unfinished agenda of Partition, which cannot be wished away. The Indian atrocities cannot suppress the passions of the Kashmiri people. The Prime Minister said that Indian aggression poses a serious threat to the regional peace and security.