ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yet again wrote to the UN seeking an intervention in the Kashmir issue. In a bid to internationalise the ongoing Valley-fight between India and Pak, Sharif asked for a fact finding mission to probe alleged human rights violations in the Valley. Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakariya said the PM sent the letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
He said, "The Prime Minister mentioned that while 'Azad Jammu and Kashmir' cannot be compared in terms of the grim and tragic situation of human rights in Kashmir, it remains open to any UN mission for a visit as it has always facilitated the UNMOGIP, foreign diplomats and tourists." The letter called out Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks on Balochistan and PoK, calling it unwarranted and in complete contravention of the UN charter. It added that the remarks were aimed at diverting the world attention from the ongoing atrocities in the Kashmir valley.
The spokesperson said that Pak would continue its efforts to raise the Kashmir dispute at all international levels. "The Kashmir issue will figure prominently at the upcoming annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly and the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) meetings on the sidelines of the UN session," Zakaria said. He said Pakistan wants peaceful resolution of the lingering Kashmir dispute through the dialogue process but rejected any preconditions for the talks.
Talking about US Secretary of State John Kerry's statement on Pakistan's anti-terror efforts, the spokesperson said Pakistan draws no distinction in the terrorist groups. Earlier in August, Sharif had sent letters to UN secretary general and UN high commissioner for human rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, urging efforts to end "persistent and egregious violation of basic human rights" of the Kashmiri people and also to implement UN Security Council resolutions.
