Expresses solidarity with Delhi and offers help
Ijaz Kakakhel Islamabad
Pakistan on Thursday demanded of India to immediately release Kashmiri leaders and other Kashmirs languishing in jails across India on fabricated charges.
As the Covid-19 made havoc in India and there were no proper health facilities to treat the prisoners in Indian jails, therefore Pakistan has great concern over the health and safety of incarcerated Kashmiri leaders.
Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, in his weekly press briefing said the coronavirus situation in India has been worsening and most of the jails are overcrowded and do not have any provisions against the Covid-19.
The incarcerated Kashmiri leaders include Aasiya Andrabi, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Ashraf Sehrai, Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam, Altaf Ahmed Shah, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Raja Merajuddin Kalwal, Syed Shahid Yousuf, Shakeel Ahmed, Farooq Ahmed Dar, Fehmeeda Sofi, Nahida Nasreen, Zahoor Ahmed, and others.
“Reportedly, some of the Kashmiri leaders in Indian jails have already contracted the coronavirus.
Unfortunately, they are not even provided any medical treatment,” the spokesperson said.
Given the worst pandemic situation in India, the Indian government must immediately release the incarcerated Kashmiri leadership and all innocent Kashmiris, he demanded.
We once again call upon the international community, particularly the United Nations, International Committee of the Red Cross, and human rights organisations to take cognisance of this dire humanitarian situation,” he said.
However, he reiterated Pakistan’s expression of solidarity with the people of India in the wake of the current wave of Covid-19 that has hit the region hard.
As a gesture of solidarity, Pakistan has also offered relief support to India, he said, adding: “We are ready to immediately provide ventilators, Bi-PAP, digital X-ray machines, PPEs, and related items.”
He also said Pakistan has no aggressive designs against any country, but is fully capable and ready to respond to any misadventure.
Responding to a question he said Pakistan s armed forces remain prepared misadventure and are fully capable of defending countries geographical boundaries.
Answering a question, he said Pakistan wants resolution of all outstanding disputes, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, with India through dialogue, but that must be meaningful and result oriented.
He said onus is on India to create an enabling environment for talks.
