ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has urged the United Nations and the international community to take notice of grave human rights violations by Indian forces in Occupied Kashmir. Speaking at the weekly news briefing in Islamabad today foreign office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said discrimination and mistreatment of minorities especially Muslims in India has become order of the day.
He urged the International community, OIC, and other world bodies to take notice of the persecution of religious minorities in India.
He said RSS and other fascist organizations are involved in terrorist activities inside India and put the blame on Pakistan.
Nafees Zakaria said Pakistan continues to suffer from India sponsored terrorism. He said arrest of Indian spy Kulbushan Jadav is a validation of Islamabad’s claim that India is involved in creating instability and unrest in Pakistan.
The spokesperson expressed the confidence that better management of the Western border will help address the challenge of terrorism.
He said Pakistan and Afghanistan should work together to root out the menace of cross border terrorism through evolving an effective border management mechanism. He said Pakistan will continue playing its role for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Answering a question, Nafees Zakaria said China is longstanding and trustworthy friend of Pakistan, which has always supported us in every thick and thin.
He said both the countries are cooperating each other in all spheres, including energy, economy, infrastructure, and defense.
He said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a game changer project and it will bring development and prosperity not only to Pakistan and China, but to the whole region.
Nafees Zakaria said no ambassador has diplomatic immunity in his home country, and that Hussain Haqqani is no exception to that rule.
Refusing to answer further questions on Haqqani, the spokesman said: “The country’s visa policy is made by the interior ministry. Any question related to Hussain Haqqani and visa policies should be directed towards the interior ministry.”
Nafees Zakaria also expressed the government’s concerns regarding Jinnah House in Mumbai, stating that the Indian government needs to respect the “importance” the house holds for Pakistan.
“We have clarified our position on the Jinnah House matter to the Indian government,” the spokesman added.
On Monday, A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, had demanded that the residence be demolished and a cultural centre built in its place.
Lodha, who is a property magnate in Mumbai, said: “The Jinnah residence in south Mumbai was the place from where the conspiracy of partition was hatched.”
“Jinnah House is a symbol of the partition. The structure should be demolished,” he said.
The demand came in the wake of the Indian Parliament passing controversial amendments to the Enemy Property Act, 1968 earlier this month that are expected to pave the way for seizure of properties held by people who fled the country.
In his opening remarks, the spokesperson congratulated Dr. Adil Haider on receiving the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honour this year in the United States and making Pakistanis proud.
In 2011, two Pakistani brothers, Dr. Fahim Rahim and Dr. Naeem Rahim, also received this Medal in USA and brought home honour.
He also extended Pakistani Athletes for winning 16 medals from Special Olympics World Winter Games.
Earlier, new Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua interacted with the media persons and hoped that better coordination with media is need of the hour.
