UN Security Council has 'serious concerns' over Kashmir — Foreign Office

This file photo shows a general view of the Security Council meeting on maintenance of international peace and security on Jan. 9, 2020. (United Nations via AFP)

• Wednesday’s session on Kashmir was held on Pakistan’s request
• FM Qureshi urged UN to ‘prevent a disastrous war between Pakistan and India’

ISLAMABAD: All 15 members of the United Nations Security Council have expressed serious concerns over the deteriorating situation in India-administered Kashmir, Pakistani Foreign Office said on Thursday.
A Security Council meeting on Kashmir was convened on Wednesday on a request by Pakistan, which was backed by China – one of the council’s permanent members.
“During the hour-long discussion all the council members, including P-5 countries (permanent council members) expressed serious concerns regarding the deteriorating situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including the continued curfew and blackout imposed on the Kashmiri people, and potential threat of a conflict,” Foreign Office spokeswoman Aisha Farooqui said in a weekly media briefing in Islamabad.
She said UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) representatives briefed Security Council members on “India’s illegal actions,” “the continuous crackdown on Kashmiri leadership and people by Indian forces,” and confirmed that they had “resulted in the rise of tension.”
“Political leaders remained detained and Internet blockade remained in place. There is also deployment across the LOC (Line of Control). UNMOGIP members continued to face restrictions on the Indian side,” Farooqui said, adding that it was reaffirmed during the session that the Kashmir issue is an international dispute.
“We hope that such continued international scrutiny will exert pressure on the (Indian Prime Minister) Modi government to reverse its unilateral measure and to stop human rights and cease-fire violations against Pakistan,” she said, expressing Pakistan’s stance that the dispute must be resolved in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
She added that it was a second time in five months that the Security Council was discussing the Kashmir situation.
Farooqui said that Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had held three important meetings with the UN secretary general and President of UNSC, the presidents of the Security Council and General Assembly.
The foreign minister, Farooqui said, apprised the UN leaders on the effects of the over five-month Indian lockdown, rejecting all claims of “normalcy” in the territory. He also informed them about India’s “war-mongering” attitude, she said.
“The foreign minister underscored that persistent war mongering by Indian political and military leadership was a threat to regional peace and security,” as he requested the Security Council “to act decisively to prevent a disastrous war between Pakistan and India.”
Qureshi also reaffirmed Pakistan’s willingness to continue its efforts and support for Kashmir and be the voice of Kashmiri people at every forum, Farooqui said.