- FO spokeswoman confirms Chinese foreign minister’s visit next week, says Afghan refugees will return by end of this year under a trilateral agreement with Afghan govt and UNHCR
Pakistan on Friday urged India to honour the commitment made by its first prime minister at the United Nations for resolution of Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiris.
Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tasnim Aslam, during FO’s weekly briefing in the federal capital, said that India, in its efforts to rewrite history, has forgotten the acknowledgement and commitment made by its first prime minister Jawahar lal Nehru in the context of Kashmir dispute.
Tasnim said sacrifices rendered by Kashmiris for their just struggle has made it clear that they do not accept the forced union with India.
“The reality is that India is obsessed with illusions of grandeur. The elections that are conducted by India under gun in the held valley are no substitute to the right of self-determination of Kashmiris people,” she added.
The spokesperson said it has been made clear by the United Nations as well that recent elections are no substitute to the right of self-determination, which is also enshrined in numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions. She lamented that India continues to usurp this right with impunity in violation of the UN resolutions and charter.
“Unlike India, Pakistan’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir is based on UN resolutions, international law and underpinned by political and moral principles,” she said, adding that Pakistan commemorates Kashmir Solidarity Day every year on February 5 to express its unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support.
ON RELATIONS WITH CHINA:
Confirming the forthcoming Chinese foreign minister’s visit to Pakistan next week, she said the dates of the visit are being worked out. During the visit, the two sides will discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as the regional situation, she added.
The spokesperson also confirmed that the Chinese president will also visit Pakistan this year.
Replying to a question, the FO spokeswoman said that Pakistan supports reforms in the UN Security Council but was not in favour of creating new power centers.
ON AFGHAN REFUGEES:
Answering a question on Afghan refugees in Pakistan, she said that Pakistan was hosting 1.6 million Afghan refugees. “We have signed a trilateral agreement with the Afghan government and the UNHCR for their return to their homeland by the end of this year,” she added, expressing confidence that the Afghan government and the UN agency will prepare the ground for the return of Afghan refugees.
“We have discussed the issue of refugees with the Afghan government and there is no friction between the two sides on the issue,” she said. She also rejected reports that Pakistani security forces are harassing Afghan refugees. “They are our brothers and sisters and we want their honorable and voluntary repatriation to their homeland,” she added.