Shah Mahmood Qureshi said he will “shake the global conscience on serious human rights abuses” in Kashmir.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi (Photo: IANS)
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday left for Geneva where he will take up the Kashmir issue at the 42nd session of UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). While chairing the second meeting of Kashmir Cell in Islamabad last week, Pakistan’s foreign minister had said that he would present the issue to the representatives of the world community, reports Geo News.
Qureshi also said he will “shake the global conscience on serious human rights abuses” in Kashmir. After failing to garner support on Jammu and Kashmir from countries individually, Pakistan is now preparing to rake up the issue at the United Nations forum.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet will open the session on Monday which will continue for two weeks until September 27. The 42nd session of the Council will tackle a wide range of issues, examining 90 reports presented by 25 rights experts from across the world. Besides Kashmir, UNHRC will have discussions on Myanmar, Yemen, Ukraine, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Central African Republic and Georgia will also be on the agenda.
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Tensions have been simmering between India and Pakistan ever since the ruling party on August 5 revoked Article 370 of its Constitution that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and divided it into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
In retaliation, Pakistan has formally suspended its bilateral trade with India with immediate effect and until further orders. Islamabad has also permanently suspended the Samjhauta Express, the Lahore-Delhi ‘Dosti’ bus service, and has also shut down the Thar Link Express, its last remaining train link with India.
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