ISLAMABAD - Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has reaffirmed Pakistan's strong moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Occupied Kashmir for their right to self-determination.

In a statement, he said Pakistan will continue to steadfastly stand by them until the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The minister said intensified cordon and search operations in occupied Kashmir are collective punishment on innocent people who are struggling to bring an end to illegal occupation. Expressing deep anguish at the gross violations of human rights in held territory, the foreign minister said the number of martyrs continues to mount with each passing day.

He said India continues with its malicious attempts to mislead the world community by seeking to portray the popular and indigenous struggle of the Kashmiri people as "terrorism." He said no attempt to externalize the dispute will change reality.