Special Envoys on Kashmir meet U K’s Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan
Special Envoys on Jammu & Kashmir meet United Kingdom’s Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan
Prime Minister’s Special Envoys on Kashmir Senator Lt Gen (R) Abdul Qayyum and Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh MNA met the UK’s Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP), Owen Jenkins, at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), on 19 October 2016. H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK also attended the meeting.
The Envoys briefed the SRAP on the deteriorating human rights situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). They said that the innocent Kashmiris protesting for their rights have been subjected to worse form of torture, with more than 150 civilians losing their lives, more than 15000 injured and around 1000 blinded by the brutal use of pellet guns.
Senator Qayyum warned that the unrest in the IOK and heightened tensions across the Line of Control (LoC) could potentially impact Pakistan’s on-going efforts against terrorism. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to resolution of all outstanding issues with India including Kashmir through dialogue.
Qaiser Sheikh MNA underscored that the ongoing conflict had diverted resources, which could be used for development in the region. He expressed hope that the UK government would ask India to end flagrant violations of the human rights in the IOK. The Envoys suggested to send a delegation of the British parliamentarians
to the IOK and called for an independent inquiry into the human rights abuses.
The SRAP appreciated the steps taken by Pakistan for peace and stability in the region. He acknowledged that tensions between Pakistan and India, particularly in the context of Kashmir, had direct bearing on UK due to its historical ties and people-to-people linkages with both countries. He also conveyed the UK government’s desire for early resolution of the dispute as it had greatly affected development in the region.
The SRAP noted the Envoys concerns on the human rights violations in Kashmir. He said that the UK government was closely monitoring the humanitarian situation and would continue to emphasize on all States to follow the internationally accepted human rights norms and standards.
