Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi on Tuesday said that Nawaz Sharif would highlight the critical situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) during his upcoming meeting with the United Nations (UN) Secretary General on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
“If the situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir is not addressed according to the wishes of its people, it would have far-reaching consequences,” he told APP here when asked about the meetings of the prime minister on the sidelines of the 47th WEF at Davos.
Fatemi termed Kashmir a “flash point” which he said could turn into a very serious situation.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is scheduled to meet Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of WEF on January 19.
The prime minister, who has been forcefully raising the Kashmir issue at all international forums, including the UN General Assembly, would seek the secretary general’s input in addressing the long-standing dispute.
Pakistan earlier this month asked the United Nations to restrain India from activities aimed at destabilising Pakistan.
Tariq Fatemi said that the prime minister would highlight the deployment of over 700,000 troops in the IOK, use of pellet guns, and the rejection of a fact-finding mission by India.
He regretted the oppression of Kashmiris by the Indian occupational forces and said that even independent human rights groups in Kashmir were describing the movement as “indigenous and homegrown” and without any foreign influence. He added that the movement gained momentum after the death of Burhanuddin Wani.
Fatemi said the prime minister would also take up the incidents of firing on unarmed civilians, the ongoing curfew and demonstrations of the Kashmiri youth against the atrocities.
He said the prime minister’s participation in the annual meeting of the WEF was aimed at sharing with the world leaders and heads of leading business houses the analysis of leading global financial institutions about the country’s bright economic prospects, adding that the success of government’s macro and micro economic policies were becoming evident.
Tariq Fatemi also pointed out the successful tackling of extremism and terrorism, a weak economy, and load shedding. He said Pakistan’s success story was “credible and factual” and its role in the region critical was significant.
He added that the gathering of international political and business leaders also afforded an opportunity for unstructured dialogue helpful for greater interaction, clearing misperceptions, and building a positive image of the country.
