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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday called for &ldquo;unhindered humanitarian access, accountability, and renewed commitment to international law,&rdquo; particularly in Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). While speaking to the United Nations Security Council, Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said that protection of civilians was &ldquo;under severe strain in conflicts and situations of foreign occupation.&rdquo;&nbsp; He said that civilians living under foreign occupation face prolonged &ldquo;denial of rights, dignity and self-determination,&rdquo; adding that occupation heightened obligations of the occupying power under international law. Talking about life under occupation in Indian-held Kashmir, the ambassador said that despite having lived under foreign occupation for more than seven decades, civilians still faced &ldquo;massive militarization, arbitrary detentions, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, demographic engineering, and denial of their internationally recognized right to self-determination.&rdquo; Citing last year&rsquo;s UN Special Procedures Joint Communication, the ambassador said that around 2,800 individuals, including journalists and human rights defenders, were arrested or detained, around 8000 social media accounts were blocked, and 64 recorded incidents of hate speech, intimidation, and dehumanization targeted Kashmiris and Muslims between April 22 and May 2. For the Palestinian people, the ambassador called for &ldquo;safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access, accountability for violations, and realization of the Palestinian people&#39;s right to self-determination and statehood.&rdquo;&nbsp; He said that Pakistan will continue to support efforts to &ldquo;uphold international law, ensure accountability, advance peaceful settlement of disputes and protect civilians wherever they are threatened,&rdquo; stressing that civilians are the very people the United Nations was created to save.

Foreign Affairs

While speaking to the security council, Ambassador Iftikhar says that protection of civilians was “under severe strain in conflicts and situations of foreign occupation,” adds occupation heightened obligations of the occupying power under international law.

At UN, Pakistan calls for aid, access and accountability in Indian-occupied Kashmir, Palestine 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefed diplomats on Tuesday on the country&rsquo;s security policy, regional tensions, and diplomatic priorities, including the disputed Kashmir region, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Foreign Office reported that the briefing marked the first anniversary of <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistans-diplomatic-strength-postmarkaehaq" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Marka-e-Haq</a>. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-3" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 624px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2051676567013871792&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F5685%2F&sessionId=24d8a0adf67c89703109f3a91c626e29c71ba3d3&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div></div> Marka-e-Haq, meaning &ldquo;Battle of Truth,&rdquo; is the official designation for the military conflict with India from April 22 to May 10, 2025. It includes Pakistan&rsquo;s response under Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos following Indian conventional strikes on civilian infrastructure on the night of May 6, 2025. The foreign minister described the operation as a symbol of national unity and of Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces&#39; resolve to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said Pakistan&rsquo;s response during Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos was measured, lawful, and in line with the UN Charter. He stated that only military installations were targeted and warned of risks of escalation, civilian harm, and threats to regional peace. The foreign minister said the issue of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bjp-targeting-islamic-institutions-to-erase-iiojk-identity-says-former-cm" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">IIOJK</a>) remains a key source of regional instability. He called for its resolution under United Nations auspices, according to the ministry. Dar also cautioned against unilateral actions related to the Indus Waters Treaty. He said Pakistan remains committed to multilateral engagement, peacekeeping, and international cooperation. He also briefed diplomats on Pakistan&rsquo;s role in supporting ceasefire efforts and mediation initiatives in the Gulf region and the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/us-israel-war-on-iran-day-67" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Middle East</a>. The minister reiterated Pakistan&rsquo;s position in favor of dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful coexistence in South Asia. China envoy meets Pakistan FM on Marka-e-Haq anniversary China&rsquo;s ambassador to Pakistan met Dar on the anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan. Ambassador Jiang Zaidong congratulated the Pakistani FM on &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s decisive success&rdquo; during the 2025 conflict. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 696px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2051691298135126122&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=a5b9dfb6e49d814bb83fcc6ff6f4a5c0f4e0e931&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2051691298135126122"></iframe></div></div> The Chinese envoy described the relationship between Pakistan and China as an &ldquo;All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership&rdquo;. Meanwhile, Dar said Pakistan remained committed to advancing the strategic partnership with China across all sectors. Consular services reviewed In a separate statement, the foreign office stated that Dar also chaired a meeting on consular services and support for Pakistani nationals. He called for improved coordination between government institutions and said consular services should be made more efficient. This includes passport issuance and assistance for citizens abroad. The deputy prime minister also called for streamlined systems to support overseas Pakistanis. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2051686829091324261&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F5685%2F&sessionId=24d8a0adf67c89703109f3a91c626e29c71ba3d3&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The meeting was attended by the interior minister, the foreign secretary, the interior secretary, and senior officials from the foreign and interior ministries, according to the ministry.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefs the diplomatic corps on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq on May 5, 2026. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs/X)

Security

Foreign minister briefs diplomats on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, outlining its position on the 2025 conflict with India, regional security, and related diplomatic developments.

Pakistan reinforces security doctrine on Marka-e-Haq anniversary

ISLAMABAD: A loud explosion and rising smoke from a forest area in Kishtwar district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) triggered widespread panic on Friday, with the Indian Air Force moving quickly to deny reports of a downed aircraft. Local outlets reported panic in the Padder area of Kishtwar, a remote, mountainous district in the southern part of the territory. &quot;There are certain media outlets and social media handles claiming that an IAF aircraft has crashed near Kishtwar. This report is false,&quot; an Indian Air Force spokesperson said, as reported by several Indian news outlets. The spokesperson added, &quot;All media outlets are requested to verify information from official sources before publishing or transmitting.&quot; According to Hindustan Times, the sound was heard across the forest belt of Padder, where residents reported seeing heavy smoke billowing from the woods.&nbsp; Several local news outlet covered the story, with the Gulistan News Channel sharing video footage on its Facebook page showing thick plumes of smoke rising from dense woodland. It described an &quot;explosion-like sound&quot; that sent residents into a panic. Similarly, Greater Kashmir reported smoke rising from the forest following the blast, while Jammu Diaries posted a breaking update stating the cause had not yet been confirmed. It reported that locals suspected either unspecified activity in the area or a possible aircraft-related incident. Several local news outlets previously reported that Indian authorities had conducted a mock air raid and blackout drill in Kishtwar just a&nbsp;day earlier. It reportedly involved sirens and simulated emergency responses, which may have heightened local sensitivity to unusual sights and sounds in the area. Independent, on-the-ground verification from the region remains severely restricted. Digital directives issued in IIOJK in April 2026, including a Social Media Usage Policy, have placed strict monitoring controls on online content. Such measures significantly limit the free flow of information out of the occupied territory.

Smoke billows into the air after locals reported hearing a blast in a forested area of Kishtwar district in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. (Image credit: Jammu Diaries/Instagram)

India

A reported blast and rising smoke in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Kishtwar district is causing panic and fueling plane crash reports, while the Indian Air Force is denying any aircraft incident.

Indian air force denies aircraft crash after blast shakes Indian occupied-Kashmir district

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan&#39;s military leadership condemned attacks on Saudi Arabia&#39;s petrochemical and industrial complex, calling them an unnecessary escalation that undermines efforts to resolve the Middle East conflict diplomatically, the military&rsquo;s media wing reported on Tuesday. The statement came following the 274th Corps Commanders&#39; Conference, chaired by Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), commanders warned that the strikes carry serious consequences for ongoing peace efforts and the diplomatic environment that mediators have worked to sustain. Saudi Arabia&#39;s restraint despite repeated provocations had kept mediation viable. &ldquo;Continued attacks,&rdquo; the forum said, &ldquo;risk collapsing that process.&rdquo; The forum supported the government&#39;s efforts to end the Middle East conflict, while calling for dialogue and de-escalation in the region. The statement also noted that it affirmed Pakistan&#39;s commitment to principled diplomacy and constructive engagement. The forum also described Pakistan as a responsible regional stakeholder and active contributor to peace and stability, designating it a Regional Security Stabilizer. The conference opened with a collective prayer for soldiers, law enforcement personnel, and civilians martyred in the service of the country. The commanders paid tribute to their sacrifices, noting that their legacy forms the bedrock of Pakistan&#39;s national security. Field Marshal Asif Munir commended the armed forces for their professionalism and sustained intelligence-based counter-terrorism operations. He credited the combined effort of the government, military, and civilian population for consolidating security gains, strengthening economic resilience, and improving Pakistan&#39;s regional and global standing. On domestic security, commanders pledged to pursue and eliminate all terrorist groups operating on behalf of India and other foreign sponsors, along with their facilitators and abettors. According to the statement, Operation Ghazab lil-Haq will continue until terrorist sanctuaries are dismantled and cross-border use of Afghan territory against Pakistan ends. The forum rejected India&#39;s disinformation campaigns, baseless allegations, and false flag narratives &ndash; tactics that have been discredited internationally. The commanders also raised concern over human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, citing a recent pattern of staged encounters used to conceal extrajudicial killings. The field marshal directed commanders to maintain operational readiness, professionalism, and adaptability across all threat levels. He expressed full confidence in the armed forces&#39; ability to ensure Pakistan&#39;s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir chairs the 274th Corps Commanders’ Conference at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on April 7, 2026. (ISPR)

Terms the strikes on Saudi petrochemical and industrial facilities as an unnecessary escalation that threatens Middle East peace efforts and regional stability, the military's media wing said.

Pakistan military condemns Saudi industrial strikes, warns of regional escalation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday condemned the life imprisonment sentence given to Indian-occupied Kashmiri political leader Asiya Andrabi by a Delhi court, calling it &ldquo;a miscarriage of justice.&rdquo;&nbsp;According to a Foreign Office statement, it rejected a Delhi court&#39;s sentencing of Andrabi and her two associates, Fehmeeda Sofi and Nahida Nasreen, under the &ldquo;draconian law,&rdquo; the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. &nbsp;&nbsp;The statement called the verdict a grave &ldquo;miscarriage of justice&rdquo; that reflects the continuing &ldquo;suppression of fundamental rights&rdquo; in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).&nbsp;The Foreign Office said that the country views the decision as part of a broader pattern of &ldquo;politically motivated prosecutions&rdquo; aimed at silencing dissenting voices and intimidating those advocating the legitimate rights of the Kashmiri people.&nbsp;&nbsp;It said that the sentence raises serious concerns regarding due process, judicial independence, and adherence to international human rights obligations.&nbsp;According to the statement, Aasiya Andrabi has long been a vocal advocate for the Kashmir cause.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Her conviction and harsh sentencing underscore the shrinking space for political expression and civil liberties in IIOJK,&rdquo; it said.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan believes that such actions further exacerbate tensions and undermine prospects for peace and stability in South Asia&rdquo;, the statement said.&nbsp;Pakistan urged the international community, including the United Nations and global human rights organizations, to take immediate notice of this development and hold India accountable for its actions in IIOJK, the statement read.&nbsp;It called for the protection of the political, social, and human rights of the Kashmiri people, including the right to freedom of expression and a fair trial.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan reiterates its unwavering support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for self-determination, as enshrined in relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions,&rdquo; the statement concluded.&nbsp;Delhi court&rsquo;s verdictAccording to Indian media reports, a Delhi Special Court on Tuesday awarded Andrabi life imprisonment under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), while her associates Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen were each sentenced to 30 years in prison.&nbsp;The three women had been convicted earlier this year, on Jan. 14, for their alleged involvement with Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM), an all-women Kashmiri organization advocating the region&rsquo;s separation from India.&nbsp;The court reportedly found the accused guilty under &ldquo;multiple provisions of UAPA, including Section 18,&rdquo; which pertains to conspiracy, and Section 38, which relates to membership in a proscribed organization. Prosecutors alleged that the trio was engaged in &ldquo;promoting separatist ideology, mobilizing support, and coordinating activities,&rdquo; claims long disputed by Kashmiri groups who describe such cases as politically motivated.&nbsp;Dukhtaran-e-Millat, founded in 1987 and led by Andrabi, was banned by Indian authorities in 2004 under the UAPA. The organization has been widely viewed in Kashmir as part of the broader political resistance movement against Indian rule.&nbsp;Legal proceedings against Andrabi and her co-accused began in 2021, when a Delhi court initiated a trial under both the UAPA and multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code.&nbsp;The charges included &ldquo;criminal conspiracy,&rdquo; &ldquo;waging war against the government of India,&rdquo; &ldquo;sedition,&rdquo; and &ldquo;promoting enmity between different groups.&rdquo;&nbsp;The accused had pleaded not guilty, insisting on a full trial.&nbsp;Andrabi, a science graduate from Srinagar&rsquo;s Government Women&rsquo;s College and daughter of a local health practitioner, has remained in custody throughout the prolonged legal proceedings.&nbsp;The latest sentencing is expected to further intensify concerns over civil liberties and the shrinking political space in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

A Delhi court convicts three women linked to Dukhtaran-e-Millat under UAPA provisions, citing conspiracy and membership charges, while prosecutors allege promotion of separatist ideology, a move critics describe as politically motivated suppression in IIOJK.

Pakistan condemns Indian court's life sentence to prominent Kashmiri leader Asiya Andrabi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s UN envoy on Wednesday urged the United Nations Security Council to swiftly designate the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as a terrorist group, thanking the council for the statement condemning the terrorist acts. The UNSC condemned the &ldquo;heinous and cowardly&rdquo; coordinated terrorist attacks in Pakistan&rsquo;s Balochistan province last week, which left 17 security personnel martyred and 31 civilians dead. Consequently, Pakistani security forces, in counter terrorism operations, eliminated 177 terrorists, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told the National Assembly. While speaking to the council on Wednesday, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, thanked the country&rsquo;s friends and well-wishers across the globe for the outpouring of support and solidarity with Pakistan.&nbsp; &ldquo;We remain resolute in eliminating this externally sponsored scourge from our soil and exposing the sponsors, financiers, aiders, and abettors sitting across our borders,&rdquo; the ambassador said. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ahmad said that after the Taliban takeover in Kabul, externally sponsored and foreign-funded proxy terrorist groups got a new lease of life. &ldquo;Operating with virtual impunity from Afghan soil and with the active support of our eastern neighbour, these groups are responsible for heinous terrorist attacks inside Pakistan,&rdquo; the ambassador said, referring to the attacks in multiple locations in the province. While referring to the crimes in Indian occupied Kashmir, the ambassador said there must be &ldquo;zero tolerance for state terrorism,&rdquo; adding that &ldquo;repression cannot be masked as counterterrorism.&rdquo;

Ambassador thanks country’s friends and well-wishers across the globe for the outpouring of support and solidarity with Pakistan, adds there must be “zero tolerance for state terrorism.”

Pakistan urges UN to designate Balochistan Liberation Army terrorist group

ISLAMABAD: Srinagar&rsquo;s historic Jama Masjid in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) was closed on Tuesday evening, preventing congregational prayers on Shab‑e‑Barat, a night of deep spiritual significance for Muslims, according to Indian media.&nbsp;The decision by Indian&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/closure-of-medical-college-has-affected-students-future-iiojk-cm" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">authorities</a>&nbsp;left worshippers dismayed and the mosque&rsquo;s custodians frustrated, as the Night of Forgiveness marks the 15th night of Sha&rsquo;ban and is traditionally observed with night‑long prayers. According to the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid, officials accompanied by police arrived earlier in the day to announce that congregational Isha prayers and the special night vigil would not be permitted.&nbsp; The managing body was instructed to lock the mosque&rsquo;s gates immediately, and armed police were deployed around the mosque to prevent people from gathering.&nbsp;Interference in religious rights&nbsp;The Auqaf said the directive came shortly after Asr prayers, with police insisting the mosque remain closed throughout the night despite preparations for the observance.&nbsp; The organization expressed regret over the disruption of another major religious occasion and noted that its head, Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar Farooq, was under house arrest.&nbsp; The statement said repeated restrictions since 2019 amount to interference in the community&rsquo;s religious rights. Mirwaiz Farooq,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/the-indian-peace-bond-gag-order-how-kashmiri-reporters-are-being-silenced-without-an-fir" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kashmir&rsquo;s</a>&nbsp;chief Muslim cleric, posted on social media that while mosques across Kashmir were illuminated for Shab‑e‑Barat, Jama Masjid remained closed under surveillance.&nbsp;Preventing peaceful religious assemblies&nbsp;He described the closure as part of a long pattern of curbs on religious gatherings and questioned the official narrative of &ldquo;normalcy.&rdquo; The Anjuman Auqaf condemned the authorities&rsquo; approach and urged reconsideration of policies that prevent peaceful religious assemblies.&nbsp; Officials provided no specific explanation for the closure, describing it only as a &ldquo;preventive&rdquo; or &ldquo;precautionary&rdquo; measure.&nbsp; An anonymous police officer said it was intended to avert potential law‑and‑order issues, but did not clarify how prayers inside the mosque could pose a risk, Indian media reported.

The managing body was instructed to lock the mosque’s gates, and armed police were deployed around the mosque to prevent people from gathering.

Closure of Srinagar’s Jama Masjid on Shab‑e‑Barat draws criticism

ISLAMABAD: A recently published editorial in The Hindu notes that Pakistan&rsquo;s participation in the Board of Peace (BoP) is a potential concern for India, particularly if the BoP were to expand its mandate to include other disputes, such as Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;The editorial states: &ldquo;For India, Pakistan&rsquo;s decision to join the board is a red-flag, particularly if Mr. Trump decides to include the Kashmir dispute to peace plans the BoP will seek to resolve.&rdquo;&nbsp;India skipped the announcement of the US President Donald Trump-led BoP charter at Davos, although the government is reported to still be deliberating over an invitation extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;While around 20 countries have joined the BoP, India is continuing to deliberate over its participation.&nbsp;&nbsp;The editorial highlights concerns over the board&rsquo;s structure and functioning, which suggest a wider mandate for future conflict-resolution efforts, the editorial said.&nbsp; &#39;In conjunction&#39; with UN Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/board-of-peace-to-work-with-un-for-global-peace-efforts-trump" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">signed the charter</a>&nbsp;for the BoP at the ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 22, establishing an international body to resolve conflicts that he pledged would work &quot;in conjunction&quot; with the United Nations.&nbsp;The signing ceremony at the World Economic Forum formalized the organization, with roughly 35 countries committing to join.&nbsp;&nbsp;During his speech, Trump characterized the day as &quot;very exciting&quot; and &quot;long in the making.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;He stated that the world is &quot;richer, safer, and much more peaceful&quot; than a year ago, claiming credit for &quot;settling eight wars.&quot;

An editorial by The Hindu states: ‘For India, Pakistan’s decision to join the board is a red-flag, particularly if Mr. Trump decides to include the Kashmir dispute to peace plans the BoP will seek to resolve.’

Pakistan joining Board of Peace raises occupied Kashmir alarm for India

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan at the United Nations on Tuesday said that &ldquo;acrobatics with words will not legitimize&rdquo; India&rsquo;s illegal occupation of Kashmir, and warned that India was &ldquo;deliberately weaponizing water.&rdquo;&nbsp; First Secretary Zulfiqar Ali from Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said that the assertion that Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir was an &ldquo;integral part of India does not stand the test of history, geography, justice, fairness, and most significantly, international law.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;Acrobatics with words will not legitimize India&rsquo;s illegal occupation of Kashmir, nor could the marginalization of Indian minorities do it any good,&rdquo; Ali said while speaking during the Preparatory Committee for the UN Conference of Plenipotentiaries on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity meeting.&nbsp; Pakistan will continue to extend &ldquo;political and moral support to the freedom struggle of Kashmiri people,&rdquo; the first secretary said, adding that the country would call for &ldquo;holding a UN-supervised plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, as per UNSC resolutions, and the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.&rdquo; Ali also urged the international community to &ldquo;keep a close watch&rdquo; on human rights violations against minorities in India, lest our collective failure to do so might sleepwalk us to another great tragedy.&rdquo;&nbsp; India&#39;s abeyance of Indus Water TreatyIn a separate statement given at the Global Water Bankruptcy Policy Roundtable at the UN, Pakistani Ambassador Usman Jadoon said since India&rsquo;s abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty in April last year, the neighbor has carried out &ldquo;material breaches; including unannounced disruptions of downstream flows and <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/indias-dulhasti-stageii-project-underscores-strain-on-indus-waters-treaty-report-says" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">withholding of hydrological information</a>, creating an unprecedented crisis for water security and for regional stability.&quot; &ldquo;This is not nature&#39;s doing. This is a nation state deliberately <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-raises-alarm-over-indias-violations-of-indus-waters-treaty" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">weaponizing water</a>,&rdquo; Pakistan&rsquo;s acting permanent representative to the UN said. The ambassador said that for more than six decades, the treaty &ldquo;has provided a time-tested framework for equitable and predictable management of the waters of the Indus River basin.&rdquo; &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s position is unequivocal; the treaty remains legally intact and permits <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/clarification-sought-from-india-over-abrupt-variation-in-chenab-water-flows-pakistan-fo-spox" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">no unilateral suspension</a> or modification,&rdquo; he added. Ambassador Jadoon said Pakistan believed that as we move toward the UN&rsquo;s water conference this year, the process must acknowledge water insecurity as a systemic global risk. He added that cooperation and respect for international water law must be placed at the center of shared water governance, ensuring that commitments translate into real protection for vulnerable downstream communities.

First Secretary Zulfiqar Ali says, 'Acrobatics with words will not legitimize India’s illegal occupation of Kashmir'; Ambassador Jadoon says India has carried out material breaches of Indus Water Treaty.

Pakistan calls out India's illegal occupation of Kashmir at the UN 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday that&nbsp;Taiwan is an &quot;inalienable part of China&#39;s territory.&quot;&nbsp; Speaking at the weekly press briefing in the capital, the FO spokesperson cited a joint communiqu&eacute; from the seventh round of Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue held January 4 in Beijing. &quot;Pakistan reaffirmed its firm commitment to One-China principle and reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China&#39;s territory,&quot; Andrabi said. Pakistan also supports China&#39;s efforts toward national reunification on issues concerning Xinjiang, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and the South China Sea. Backs counterterrorism efforts The FO spokesperson revealed that China pledged steadfast support for Pakistan&#39;s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.&nbsp; Beijing praised Pakistan&#39;s counterterrorism measures and recognized &quot;the significant contribution and huge sacrifices that Pakistan has made in combating terrorism over many years.&quot; On Kashmir, China said the dispute &quot;is a leftover from the history and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and bilateral agreements.&quot; Economic corridor expansion Both countries agreed to build on the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of the Belt and Road Initiative project. They will align development plans across defense, security, economy, trade, investment, and cultural exchange. The two sides agreed to oppose unilateral actions and talked about the need to maintain peace and stability in South Asia through dialogue and consultations. Afghanistan security concerns Andrabi stated that Pakistan and China agreed for &quot;more visible and verifiable actions to dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organization based in Afghanistan which continue to pose serious threats to regional peace and global security.&quot; They agreed to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan territory for attacks against other countries. Both nations will continue cooperation through the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral foreign ministers&#39; dialogue and the China-Bangladesh-Pakistan cooperation mechanism. Kashmir self-determination day Pakistan observed Right to Self-Determination Day for Jammu and Kashmir on January 5, marking the 1949 UN Security Council resolution that enshrined the right of Kashmiris to determine their future through a UN-supervised plebiscite. &quot;The Kashmiri people have been denied this right by India for over decades,&quot; Andrabi said. &quot;The illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir by India stands as a stark tragedy of our time.&quot; Andrabi said thousands of Kashmiri leaders and civil society members remain imprisoned, including Musarrat Alam, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Asiya Andrabi and Dr Qasim Fakhto. He said Yasin Malik was convicted after &quot;a sham trial,&quot; while journalist Irfan Mehraj is jailed for reprisals by Indian authorities. Pakistan condemned India&#39;s August 5, 2019, actions as &quot;a blatant attempt to consolidate the illegal occupation through demographic engineering&quot; that violates international law. &quot;Pakistan will continue to extend its unwavering moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their just struggle for the right to self-determination,&quot; Andrabi said. Regional diplomacy The FO spokesperson stated that the country&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar&nbsp;held phone calls with foreign ministers from Myanmar, Indonesia, Egypt, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates this week. The talks covered bilateral relations and regional issues, including developments in Gaza, Somalia, and Yemen. The foreign minister spoke twice with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, welcoming Saudi Arabia&#39;s statement on Yemen. Dar stated that regional parties &quot;must avoid any escalatory move&quot; and resolve issues through dialogue. Andrabi also mentioned Azerbaijan&#39;s Economy Minister Mikhail Jabarov discussing a $2 billion investment in Pakistan with Dar. Both sides agreed to finalize mechanisms for Azerbaijani investment in identified sectors of Pakistan&#39;s economy.

Politics

Pakistan’s weekly briefing highlights China ties and calls for action against terrorism based in Afghanistan.

Articles tagged with "Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)"

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Closure of Srinagar’s Jama Masjid on Shab‑e‑Barat draws criticism

Pakistan joining Board of Peace raises occupied Kashmir alarm for India

Pakistan calls out India's illegal occupation of Kashmir at the UN

Pakistan backs One-China policy, calls Taiwan part of Chinese territory: FO

At UN, Pakistan calls for aid, access and accountability in Indian-occupied Kashmir, Palestine