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Kashmiris reject

2020-08-04
ISLAMABAD: The international community`s silence over Indian actions in occupied Kashmir could be because of its interests in India, but Kashmiris have clearly rejected Delhi`s last year move of annexing their homeland, which has been under illegal occupation for over seven decades.

This was stated by Foreign Mini-ster Shah Mehmood Qureshi in a video statement, recorded while travelling to the Chirikot sector on the Line of Control (LoC) along with Defence Minister Pervez Khattak andSpecial Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Moeed Yousuf, and later talking to locals there.

The visit, Mr Qureshi said, was undertaken to express solidarity with the people of Azad Kashmir living along the LoC who regularly face firing by the Indian armed forces because of which they have suffered both human and material losses.

Frequency of ceasefire violations by India along the LoC has registered a sharp increase since 2015. This year India has so far committed nearly 1,844 ceasefire violations with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars and automatic weapons, in which 14 people have been martyred and another 138 seriously injured.

Mr Qureshi said the government and people of Pakistan salute the courage of the people living along the LoC, who have resolutely stood their ground and have chosen not to leave the area.

`Your commitment to your soil is exemplary,` he added.

Other countries, he said, may not be speaking up over India`s excesses in Kashmir and its illegal actions because of their expediencies and economic interests, but Kashmiris should be clear that they are on the right path.

`Kashmiris are increasingly getting alienated from India. Today there is no honourable Kashmiri, who would be supporting India`s action, Mr Qureshi told people during the visit.

In his earlier video statement, the foreign minister said: `We want to assure the Kashmiris living near the LoC that the government, armed forces and people are standing firmly by them.

Mr Qureshi said he wanted to send a clear message to India as well that whatever they tried do [to suppress the voice of the peoplej, the Kashmiris had rejected their Aug 5 action.

The government is planning to observe the first anniversary of annexation of held Kashmir on Wednesday as `Yaum-i-Istehsal` (Day of Exploitation). A number of activities have been planned for the day.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan received a phone call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, exchanged Eid greetings and discussed a range of important issues with him.

A press release issued by the PM Office`s media wing said that PM Khan congratulated President Erdogan on the reopening of Hagia Sophia for prayers and informed him that millions of Pakistanis watched it live on television.

The two leaders agreed to stay in close contact on all issues of common interest.

The Pakistan-Turkey strategic relationship is underpinned by unique mutual trust, understanding and close cooperation. Pakistan deeply appreciates Turl(ey`s steadfast support for the just cause of Kashmir, which President Erdogan reaffirmed during his address to a joint session of parliament in February this year, the press release added.along the LoC who regularly face firing by the Indian armed forces because of which they have suffered both human and material losses.

Frequency of ceasefire violations by India along the LoC has registered a sharp increase since 2015. This year India has so far committed nearly 1,844 ceasefire violations with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars and automatic weapons, in which 14 people have been martyred and another 138 seriously injured.

Mr Qureshi said the government and people of Pakistan salute the courage of the people living along the LoC, who have resolutely stood their ground and have chosen not to leave the area.

`Your commitment to your soil is exemplary,` he added.

Other countries, he said, may not be speaking up over India`s excesses in Kashmir and its illegal actions because of their expediencies and economic interests, but Kashmiris should be clear that they are on the right path.

`Kashmiris are increasingly getting alienated from India. Today there is no honourable Kashmiri, who would be supporting India`s action, Mr Qureshi told people during the visit.

In his earlier video statement, the foreign minister said: `We want to assure the Kashmiris living near the LoC that the government, armed forces and people are standing firmly by them.

Mr Qureshi said he wanted to send a clear message to India as well that whatever they tried do [to suppress the voice of the peoplej, the Kashmiris had rejected their Aug 5 action.

The government is planning to observe the first anniversary of annexation of held Kashmir on Wednesday as `Yaum-i-Istehsal` (Day of Exploitation). A number of activities have been planned for the day.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan received a phone call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, exchanged Eid greetings and discussed a range of important issues with him.

A press release issued by the PM Office`s media wing said that PM Khan congratulated President Erdogan on the reopening of Hagia Sophia for prayers and informed him that millions of Pakistanis watched it live on television.

The two leaders agreed to stay in close contact on all issues of common interest.

The Pakistan-Turkey strategic relationship is underpinned by unique mutual trust, understanding and close cooperation. Pakistan deeply appreciates Turl(ey`s steadfast support for the just cause of Kashmir, which President Erdogan reaffirmed during his address to a joint session of parliament in February this year, the press release added.