ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said Indian stubbornness is major hurdle on way to success of SAARC due to which regional connectivity stand paralysed.

“We will welcome mediation from any friendly country for resolution of Indo-Pakistan conflict or Kashmir issue, this was said by Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during her weekly press briefing in FO.

She said presidents of China, Iran Tajak and Turkey have congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on assumption of office.  Prime ministers of Malaysia, Palestine, Afghanistan and amir Qatar have also congratulated PM Shehbaz Sharif. Indian PM Nerindar Modi sent message of congratulations to PM Shehbaz Sharif on social media.  Cabinet has not been formed so far. Foreign policy will be evolved afterwards. As world celebrates International Women’s Day today, we would like to remember the strong women of Kashmir who have faced brunt of Indian atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. They have endured widespread devastation and confronted obstacles that impede their access to essential needs and their capacity to lead dignified life.

The Kashmiri women widowed and orphaned because of fake encounters by Indian forces do not even get time to mourn for their dead husbands and fathers and are forced to become the sole breadwinners for their families. Women heading households face additional difficulties in the society and face hurdles in finding respectable jobs. Women activists including Hurriyat leaders including Aasiya Andrabi, Naheeda Nasreen and Fehmeeda Sofi remain incarcerated in different jails of IIOJK and India. Yesterday, Pakistan and EU held ninth round of Political Dialogue in Islamabad, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi and Deputy Secretary General of European External Action Service Enrique Mora.

Two sides discussed all aspects of Pakistan-EU bilateral relations with focus on Strategic Engagement Plan, trade and development cooperation, security, climate change and migration and mobility.

Pakistan welcomes Extraordinary Session of Council of Foreign Ministers held yesterday in Jeddah and supports its strong condemnation of unprecedented Israeli aggression against civilians in besieged Gaza Strip and entire Occupied Palestinian Territory. CFM has held occupying power, fully responsible for ongoing genocide of civilians in Gaza.

We join their call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and cessation of Israeli aggression and provision of unimpeded and adequate humanitarian, medical and relief aid, provision of water and electricity, and opening of humanitarian corridors to deliver urgent aid.

As we move towards holy month of Ramadhan, we call for urgent relief to people of Palestine and unrestricted access to Palestinians to pray in holy Al-Aqsa Masjid.

As world celebrates International Women’s Day, we would like to remember strong women of Kashmir who have faced brunt of Indian atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 08 2024

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