"The indigenous movement in (Jammu and Kashmir) has gained a new momentum and urgency. The Kashmiris are unanimous in their demand for self-determination," Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said. Qureshi said Pakistan will "continue to stand by the Kashmiris in their just cause". His comments were put out in a statement by the Foreign Office.
"Gross and systematic abuse of human rights ... in Kashmir must end. Pakistan calls upon the Government of India to exercise restraint," Qureshi said. He said Pakistan has taken "serious note of the deteriorating situation" in Jammu and Kashmir.
Qureshi said Pakistan condemns the alleged "blatant" use of force by Indian security forces against the protesters. Today's statement by Qureshi was the strongest reaction from the Foreign Office to the recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir. It comes at a time when leaders of opposition parties like the PML-N and politicians from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have stepped up pressure on the government to take up the situation in Jammu and Kashmir with the international community.
Needling India, Pakistan had last month said that Kashmiri people were resolved to get their right to self-determination and New Delhi should read the "writing on the wall".
"It is our firm belief that when (the Kashmiri) people are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their cause, then nothing can stop them from reaching their destination," foreign office spokesperson Abdul Basit had said.
Qureshi, at the same time, also pushed for an "early and full resumption of the dialogue process with India" and said Pakistan "wants a constructive, sustained and result-oriented dialogue with India on all issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute." He said Pakistan is committed to finding a "just and peaceful resolution of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people".
