Pakistan strongly condemns drone attacks on Saudi Arabia by Houthis

Pakistan strongly condemns the recent drone attacks launched by Houthis towards the Asir Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 11 and 13 June 2021.These attacks not only violate the territorial integrity of the Kingdom but also threaten the lives of innocent people. We call for immediate cessation of such attacks. Pakistan reaffirms its full support and solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against any threats to its security and territorial integrity.

Today, we sadly remember the assassination, three years ago, of noted Kashmiri journalist Shujaat Bukhari in Srinagar in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). To this day, the perpetrators of the crime are at large and the family of the victim is still awaiting justice.

While briefing on Kashmir he stated that, we salute and honour the courage and professionalism of the journalists in IIOJK who continue to face a relentless campaign of harassment and intimidation by the Indian occupation forces. The situation has further worsened in the wake of India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019.The continued systematic intimidation of the Kashmiri journalists has been enabled by the grant of impunity to the Indian occupation forces under the draconian Public Safety Act (PSA), Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). We once again call upon India to immediately lift all the restrictions on communication and media in IIOJK, withdraw frivolous cases filed against the Kashmiri journalists, and restore the fundamental freedoms of the Kashmiri people.

We also urge the international community to take cognizance of India’s grave human rights violations in IIOJK which warrant an investigation under international scrutiny. Such demands have also been made by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in its two Reports on Kashmir of 2018 and 2019.

Earlier this week, Pakistan strongly condemns killing of three more innocent Kashmiris by Indian occupation forces in Baramulla district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The Indian occupation army has intensified extra-judicial killings of the Kashmirs in so-called “cordon-and-search” operations despite ravaging Covid 19 pandemic. More than 55 Kashmiris have been killed this year alone by the Indian occupation forces. Arbitrary detention of Kashmiri youth also continues unabated.

India should be well aware that no amount of Indian brutalization will be able to subjugate the Kashmiris and break their will in their struggle for self-determination.

Pakistan has consistently emphasized that gross and systematic violations of human rights being perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces in IIOJK warrant investigation by the UN Commission of Inquiry, as recommended by the OHCHR in its reports of 2018 and 2019.

Pakistan reiterates its call for independent inquiry under international scrutiny to investigate the unabated extra-judicial killings of Kashmiris by Indian occupation forces and to bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.