National News

ISLAMABAD, Aug 3 (APP): Pakistan supports all efforts for restoring
peace in Afghanistan and desires to have long-lasting bilateral relationship with the neighboring country.
Condemning the terrorists attack in Afghanistan, the Foreign Office
Spokesperson, Nafees Zakaria during his weekly press briefing Thursday said Pakistan was deeply saddened by the loss of precious human lives in the attacks.
He said the delegation comprised of US Acting Under Secretary of
State and Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) Alice Wells was on a bilateral visit to Pakistan.
“US delegation called on the Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and
during the delegation level talks entire gamut of bilateral relations and
regional issues, including the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan have been reviewed”, he added.
Replying to a question, he said the issue of Indian occupied Kashmir
(IoK) was also discussed with the acting secretary of state during the delegation level talks.
The spokesperson said the human rights situation in the IoK had been
worsening with every passing day due to the ever increasing atrocities by the Indian forces with impunity.
“Indian occupation forces martyred 8 Kashmiris in last six days
Shariq Ahmed Sheikh (25), Shabbir Ahmad Mir (24), Ghulam Mohammad Shah (55), Firdous Ahmad Khan, (30), Arif Nabi Dar (24) and 22-year old Akeel Ahmad Butt in Pulwama, Kupwara and Baramulla districts”, he informed.
He said over 110 people mostly young boys including over 70 were
injured with pellets and bullets after Indian forces used excessive brute forces, bullets, pellets and teargas shells on defenseless Kashmiris during peaceful protests in occupied Kashmir while one boy had been completely blinded due to use of pellet guns by Indian forces.
“Government of Pakistan strongly condemns Indian brutal killing
and use of brute force against peaceful Kashmiri protestors in IoK”, he added.
International community, particularly the United Nations (UN) must
take necessary action to address the issue of Kashmir including the illegal detention of Hurriyat leaders, under black Law Public Safety Act, who along with people of Kashmir had been denied offering Juma Prayers for 5th consecutive Friday.
He said the government and the people of Pakistan remain committed in
extending our moral, diplomatic and political support to our oppressed brothers and sisters in IoK in their just struggle against Indian illegal occupation.
Replying to another question, he said Pakistan had suffered a lot due to
terrorism and had been playing a significant role in the war against terrorism.
“India needs to introspect its policies in Kashmir and in regional
relations instead of accusing Pakistan of something they are unable to provide evidence for,” he said.
He said the stubborn attitude of incumbent Indian government had also
affected the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) which was responsible for the development and mutual cooperation of between the regional countries.
Replying to another question regarding water talks between India and
Pakistan, he said the meetings earlier this week were held in a spirit of
goodwill and cooperation. The parties had agreed to continue discussions and reconvene the meeting in September in Washington, DC.
He said by using the Article 35-A that bars outsiders from buying land
in occupied Kashmir, India was trying to change the demography of Kashmir which was a clear violation of United Nation Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.