CRISIS! Kashmir abuses in spotlight as PM meets world leaders
Prime Minister Sharif met his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe and requested him to exercise his influence as leader of an important world power to get blatant human rights violations prevented in Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK).
More than 80 people are killed and thousands injured in callous use of force by Indian security forces within their attempt to quell an uprising sparked off by the killing of a popular young Kashmiri separatist Burhan Wani in gunfight.
The Japanese leader expressed serious concerns over the rights situation in IOK.
Pakistan’s successes were additionally recorded by Premier Sharif in Operation Zarb-e-Azb which has been launched to purge the nation of the evil of terrorism. “Pakistan is implementing the National Action Plan against terrorism to reestablish peace in the state,” he added.
Prime Minister Abe offered condolences, and also condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, especially the Quetta hospital bombing.
Sharif told his Japanese counterpart about Pakistan’s efforts and reiterated his country’s desire for a stable and prosperous Afghanistan. Pakistan’s efforts were supported by Abe for reaching out to neighbours for regional peace and equilibrium.
Sharif additionally told the Japanese leader about the economic turn around in his state, saying that Pakistan’s economic indicators were improving while the energy crisis was being tackled. “These achievements augmented self-confidence is ’ed by foreign investors and turned Pakistan into an ideal destination for investment.”
Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s investment possibility, saying that Japan could invest in creating value added goods for common good of both nations. The commerce (quantum) needs to be enriched,” he added.
Abe and Sharif agreed to commence negotiations for a free trade agreement between their states. In addition they agreed to raise the frequency of high level interactions between their nations to give greater momentum to bilateral ties.
Both leaders voiced concerns over the recent developments. Prime Minister Sharif urged Pyongyang to abide by its international treaty obligations and condemned recent nuclear tests by North Korea.
Individually, Premier Sharif met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan where he also raised the issue of ongoing human rights abuses. Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, Turkey’s foreign minister and other officials also attended the assembly.
President Erdogan said his country would send a fact-finding mission to IOK in its capacity. Prime Minister Sharif thanked the Turkish president for his support. Pakistan and “Turkey are nations that are inseparable. We are friends forever.”
Erdogan said Pakistan and Turkey have always been and will continue to remain strong and steadfast partners in bringing peace in the Muslim world along with in their respective regions.
Prime Minister Sharif offered the Turkish leader condolences over the loss of lives in recent terrorist attacks. He also expressed a sense of relief on behalf of the authorities and people of Pakistan for conquering the attempted coup by a department of the Turkish military.
He also hailed the positive contribution of Turkish companies which have invested heavily in infrastructure and services sectors. He called for an early finalisation of a free trade agreement between Turkey and Pakistan to maximise trade potential between them.
