ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Thursday urged the United States and the world to intervene and stop the bloodshed in the Indian held Kashmir.

Speaking at a weekly news briefing here, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammed Faisal said that Pakistan has taken up the Kashmir issue with the world.

“We take up the matter of Indian brutalities in Kashmir with not only the US but also all other countries of the world, bilaterally, as well as in the multilateral forums. The case of occupied Kashmir is rooted in legality and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, which remain unimplemented for the past seven decades. The legal position on Indian occupied Kashmir remains unchanged,” he said.

Regarding the nomination of special envoys to visit influential countries to highlight the Kashmir issue, he said that the decision to send representatives abroad was reached in the recently held special meeting of the cabinet on Kashmir. “The details are being finalized,” he said.

Faisal said that there may have been a change in the political stance of the international community due to the changing circumstances in the global world, but that has no impact on the legal basis of the Kashmir dispute and on the ground situation.

Pakistan, he said, had always forcefully and effectively taken up the matter of the continued Kashmiri struggle for realizing of the right to self-determination at the UN and all other relevant forums.

“The first step towards the resolution of the Kashmir issue is the immediate and absolute halt of the Indian brutal atrocities on innocent Kashmiris,” he said.

“Indian occupation forces are using weapons and pellet guns on Kashmiris that the civilized world has banned on even using on the animals. The international community is obliged to play an effective role to put an immediate end to this bloodshed, and for an early resolution of the Kashmir dispute. The Kashmiri people expect help from the world,” the spokesperson said. 

To a question, he said Pakistan had never refused to hold dialogue with India because “we have nothing to hide”. He said Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria wanted to meet with National Security Adviser Nasser Janjua. “Also, our High Commissioner in New Delhi had met with the Indian NSA. Efforts for the resumption of dialogue are ongoing. We will let you know of the developments if any. India is running away from dialogue and not Pakistan,” he said.

“This morning, Foreign Minister (Khawaja Mohammed Asif) gave a comprehensive briefing to the diplomatic corps in Islamabad on the recent situation in Kashmir, which is highly appreciated.  The Indian brutal and gross human rights violation against the Kashmiri people is a serious humanitarian issue. All civilized countries of the world are party to the universal human rights charter. The issue of Kashmir is critical for peace and stability of the region and the world,” he said.

About US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Alice Wells’ visit to Pakistan, he said Pakistan had raised the Kashmir dispute with her. “Ambassador Wells’ visit is indicative of the willingness on both sides to continue engagement and find some common ground. Details of the meetings continue to remain outside the public glare,” he said.

Faisal said the US State Department had amended its terrorist designation of Lashkar-e-Tayyaba to include the aliases, Milli Muslim League and Tehrik-e-Azadi-e-Kashmir on the terror watch list. “Accordingly, the US treasury department has also listed seven members of the MML central leadership,” he said.

The spokesperson said Pakistan had already listed TAJK as proscribed and this was conveyed to Ambassador Wells when she raised this issue in the meeting with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on March 29.

Additionally, he said, the US amendment in its domestic designation did not trigger internationally binding obligations for Pakistan. “Therefore, the US decision may be seen in its domestic context. As for the status of the MML in Pakistan is concerned, the matter is sub-judice before a court and the Election Commission of Pakistan,” he said.

About attack on a seminary in Kunduz, he said the loss of civilian lives, especially children was regrettable. “Pakistan has consistently maintained that peace in Afghanistan is possible only through an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned process. The violence and bloodshed cannot achieve anything,” he said.

Faisal said Pakistan does not interfere in the internal matters of other countries, but the “incident in Kunduz in which innocent children and a large number of civilians were killed as a result of airstrikes on a graduation ceremony in a madrassa is deplorable. In our view, it is important to make conscious efforts to avoid any such actions that are detrimental to peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan by all of us.”

Questioned about India’s plan to deploy National Security Guards in Occupied Kashmir, Faisal said Pakistan had taken a series of steps during the last week to effectively highlight the Indian atrocities in Kashmir and show India’s heinous face to the world.

“India must stop the brutalities and bloodshed of innocent Kashmiris in Kashmir. It is our belief that India shall not succeed in breaking the resolve of the Kashmiri, people despite using all tactics and force,” he said. Pakistan, he said, will continue to extend diplomatic, political and moral support to the Kashmiris.

About reports that head of General Security of Dubai had recently advised his countrymen not to employee Pakistanis because of their alleged involvement in smuggling, the spokesperson said Pakistan’s ambassador in Abu Dhabi had taken up the issue with UAE authorities. “They are looking into this matter. However, such instances do not reflect the official position of the government of the UAE,” he said.

To a question, he said Pakistan supported all efforts employed at facilitating a peaceful Syrian-led and inclusive solution that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people through a comprehensive political dialogue.