By Our Diplomatic Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday urged the United Nations to play its role in addressing the “grave” situation in Indian occupied Kashmir and to ensure that the people of the valley exercise their right to self-determination as promised under the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
The premier expressed these views during a meeting with the United Nations General Assembly President-elect Volkan Bozkir who called on him in Islamabad. Bozkir is currently visiting the capital on a two-day visit to the country on the invitation of the government.
According to a press release by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the premier extended warm felicitations to Bozkir on his election as president of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly.
During the meeting, the premier informed the president-elect about the serious situation in occupied Kashmir, an issue that has been on the UNSC agenda for over seven decades.
“The prime minister highlighted the dire rights and humanitarian situation in occupied Kashmir since August 5, 2019, as well as the ongoing gross and systematic violations of human rights and attempts to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory.”
The prime minister also informed the president-elect of the government’s initiative to mitigate and suppress the socio-economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and its focus on saving lives, securing livelihoods and stimulating the economy.
He also informed him that his government had deployed a stimulus package worth $8 billion for the poor and the needy, the “highest social security coverage by any government in the history of Pakistan”.
He highlighted his initiative for global debt relief and stressed the need for providing greater fiscal space to developing countries to overcome the socio-economic impact of the pandemic.
“The premier also highlighted the importance he attached to addressing climate change, countering Islamophobia, and combating illicit financial flows from developing countries.”
PM Imran expressed the hope that the 75th Session of the UNGA would accord priority to these issues, which affect billions around the world, the press release said.
Turkish diplomat Bozkir was elected president of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly in June and was originally scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on July 26. But in a tweet the same day, he had said the visit to Pakistan would have to wait.
“I am hoping to visit Pakistan in the near future and looking forward to a fruitful exchange with the Pakistani authorities, regarding the issues & priorities on the United Nations 75th General Assembly agenda.”
A few days later, the Foreign Office had announced that Bozkir would arrive in Pakistan on Sunday (August 9) for a two-day visit to Islamabad.
