PM meets UN's Guterres, hands dossier on human rights violations in IoK

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday raised the Kashmir issue with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and handed him a dossier documenting the human rights violations in the Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK).

Abbasi’s meeting with Guterres was scheduled on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly's (UNGA) 72nd session in New York.

The Prime Minister urged the UN Secretary-General to appoint a special envoy on Kashmir, reasoning that it was necessary since India had closed all the doors on any dialogue.

In addition, Abbasi briefed Guterres on the Indian security forces' ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and said there had been around 600 of such instances this year alone. He pointed that just today, four people have been martyred by Indian firing.

The PM and the UN Secretary-General also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and agreed on the need for a negotiated settlement to bring lasting peace in Pakistan's westside neighbour.

Guterres recognises Pak counterterrorism efforts

On the occasion, Guterres said that he holds Pakistan very close to his heart and that he has visited the country many times.

Guterres also acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism, adding that he, himself, has witnessed its counterterrorism operations and that he was a great admirer of the nation’s efforts in this regard.

The Premier also called for an expansion of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).

The UN Secretary-General also fondly recalled his meetings with ousted Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and conveyed the United Nations' gratitude to Pakistan for its peacekeeping efforts.

Abbasi to address UN

Prime Minister Abbasi is set to address the UNGA's 72nd session in New York tonight in what will be his debut into the highest international diplomacy after taking over the office last month.

Abbasi has so far held key meetings with a number of world leaders during his stay in New York. These included calls on the United States Vice President Mike Pence and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, among others.