Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday urged the United Nations to play its role in addressing the "grave" situation in Indian occupied Kashmir and to ensure that the people of the valley exercise their right to self-determination as promised under the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
The premier expressed these views during a meeting with the United Nations General Assembly President-elect Volkan Bozkir who called on him in Islamabad. Bozkir is currently visiting the capital on a two-day visit to the country on the invitation of the government.
According to a press release by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the premier extended warm felicitations to Bozkir on his election as president of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly.
During the meeting, the premier informed the president-elect about the serious situation in occupied Kashmir, an issue that has been on the UNSC agenda for over seven decades.
"The prime minister highlighted the dire rights and humanitarian situation in occupied Kashmir since August 5, 2019, as well as the ongoing gross and systematic violations of human rights and attempts to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory."
The prime minister also informed the president-elect of the government's initiative to mitigate and suppress the socio-economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and its focus on saving lives, securing livelihoods and stimulating the economy.
He also informed him that his government had deployed a stimulus package worth $8 billion for the poor and the needy, the "highest social security coverage by any government in the history of Pakistan".
He highlighted his initiative for global debt relief and stressed the need for providing greater fiscal space to developing countries to overcome the socio-economic impact of the pandemic.
"The premier also highlighted the importance he attached to addressing climate change, countering Islamophobia, and combating illicit financial flows from developing countries."
PM Imran expressed the hope that the 75th Session of the UNGA would accord priority to these issues, which affect billions around the world, the press release said.
Turkish diplomat Bozkir was elected president of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly in June and was originally scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on July 26.
But in a tweet the same day, he had said the visit to Pakistan would have to wait. “I am hoping to visit Pakistan in the near future and looking forward to a fruitful exchange with the Pakistani authorities, regarding the issues & priorities on the United Nations 75th General Assembly agenda."
A few days later, the Foreign Office had announced that Bozkir would arrive in Pakistan on Sunday (August 9) for a two-day visit to Islamabad.
President-elect meets Qureshi
Earlier today, the president-elect also met with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the Foreign Office where the latter sought "the effective role of the UNGA to end human rights violations in occupied Kashmir", Radio Pakistan reported.
Qureshi said that Pakistan had apprised all international forums, including the UN, about India's nefarious designs, adding that India's unilateral decision to revoke the region's special autonomy in August last year was in clear violation of UN resolutions and international laws.
He stated that the extra-judicial killing of Kashmiris, firing at innocent civilians and violence had become a matter of routine in occupied Kashmir, the publication reported.
The two leaders also exchanged views about efforts for peace and stability in the region, including the Afghan peace process.
Later, Bozkir planted a sapling at the Foreign Office and "contributed to the prime minister's largest tree plantation drive to save future generations from the impact of global warming," the spokesperson for the ministry said in a tweet.
'Pakistan's Covid-19 strategy good example for the world'
Addressing a press conference later in the day alongside the foreign minister, the Turkish diplomat recognised Pakistan's efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic, calling them a "good example for the world".
Expressing his condolences over the country's Covid-19 deaths and wishing those currently ill a swift recovery, he said: "Pakistan has been a good example for the world with its pandemic-related policies. The figures show that Pakistan has done better than other countries in the world and I am happy to observe it with my own eyes.
"I think the pandemic proved once again that common problems require common responses. In our collective response to the pandemic we must focus on the special needs of the most vulnerable."
Commenting on his meeting with the prime minister, Bozkir stated that he was "impressed" with Imran.
“He is a well-known political figure [...] and has a clear vision for the region, for world peace, security and other important issues the world is dealing with." He also called the foreign minister a "brother" and an "able statesman".
Responding to a question from a reporter, Bozkir said that the president-elect represented the UN as a whole. "Turkey's position regarding the issue of Kashmir is well-known and expressed at every level by the Turkish government.
"However, the position of the UN on this region is governed by its charter and applicable Security Council resolutions as was previously expressed by the UN secretary general on different occasions."
He stated that solving the Kashmir issue was key to sustainable peace in South Asia. "Regional security should be maintained through political and diplomatic solutions. Difficult challenges can be resolved through meaningful, mutual engagement."
He stated that both the prime minister and the foreign minister had presented their approach to the issue during today's meetings. "Even from this perspective it was worth coming here to hear from my own ears and to see with my own eyes how the situation is and to understand it better so that when it comes to the UN level, it will not be by reading notes.
"So if my assistance as the president of the General Assembly is requested by the parties, I will be ready to provide contributions within my mandate."
Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the United Nations on Monday to address the issue of human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir.
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President-elect Volkan Bozkir called on PM Imran where the prime minister urged the United Nations to play its rightful role in addressing the grave situation in occupied Kashmir and ensuring that Kashmiris exercise their right to self-determination as promised by the relevant UNSC resolutions.
The prime minister highlighted the dire human rights and humanitarian situation in the valley since August 5 last year, as well as the ongoing gross and systematic violations of human rights in the occupied territory.
The UNGA president-elect, while addressing a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi later in the day, said that Pakistan is a "good example" for the world to follow when it comes to dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
Bozkir said that he was impressed by Prime Minister Imran Khan after meeting him today (Monday).
“I met Prime Minister Imran today and was honoured and impressed [by him],” he said.
“He is a well-known political figure around the world and has a clear vision for the region, for world peace and security, along with important issues like the world is dealing, such as climate change,” Bozkir added.
“Pakistan has been a good example to the world with its policies related to the global pandemic. It has performed better than any other country in dealing with global pandemic and I am happy to observe it also with my own eyes", Bozkir said.
He added, “Shah Mahmood Qureshi is like a brother to me and is doing an excellent job. I would like to extend my condolences over the Balochistan blast [Chaman blast] to the people of Pakistan. My visit to this brotherly country is to recognise the longstanding brotherly relations Turkey and Pakistan have.”
Qureshi, while addressing the presser earlier, said he had raised the issue of human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir at the hands of the occupying forces in the region.
The foreign minister, while conveying his deep concerns over the continuing human rights violations in occupied Kashmir since a year now, said, "We had a very good discussion on that [Kashmir], the evolving situation, the military siege that has been going on for more than a year now, the human rights violations and the ceasefire violations."
“The UNGA has deliberated on the lingering dispute three times in a year which is unprecedented and we are grateful for it,” Qureshi said. “Pakistan desires that the discussion on the issue is also held in the UNGA as it is the pulse of the world that highlights the views of the comity of nations.”
Qureshi said the two also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the positive developments that have taken place in the Doha talks. He revealed that the two spoke about decision taken by the Loya jirga in Afghanistan regarding freeing 400 Taliban prisoners on Sunday.
Pakistan expects UN to play effective role in resolution of Kashmir issue: FM Qureshi
Qureshi in an earlier meeting with Bozkir had said Pakistan expects the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to play an effective role in the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue and put an end to the human rights violations in the valley.
Qureshi during the meeting apprised Bozkir about the ongoing human rights in occupied Kashmir in the wake of India’s unilateral step of changing the valley’s constitutional status, saying the extrajudicial killings of Kashmiris at the hands of the occupying forces, had become a norm in the valley.
He said the Kashmir issue was an internationally recognised dispute, also endorsed by the UN Secretary-General in his August 8, 2019 statement.
Speaking about the coronavirus pandemic, Qureshi said a combined joined effort is needed at an international level to fight the pandemic.
The two leaders also exchanged views about the efforts for peace and stability in the region, including the Afghan peace process.
Qureshi said Pakistan has been playing its reconciliatory role for peace in Afghanistan under a shared responsibility. He added that the intra-Afghan dialogue was imperative for durable peace and stability in the region.
On arrival at the Foreign Office Bozkir planted a sapling at the office, a day after Pakistan kicked off its largest plantation drive in history.
UNGA President-elect had arrived in Islamabad on Sunday for a two-day visit after it was postponed last month due to “technical flight problems”.
Pakistan has said it remains committed to supporting the role of the UNGA on questions relating to international peace and security; economic and social development; promotion and protection of human rights; peaceful settlement of international disputes; refraining from the threat of use of force; and developing friendly relations among nations based on the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, as enshrined in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Bozkir is the first-ever Turkish national to be elected to the Office of the President of the UNGA.
He will be leading a historic and unprecedented General Assembly Session as the UN commemorates the 75th anniversary of its establishment this year.
