Pak briefs China on ‘rights violations’ in Kashmir

Continuing with its efforts to internationalise the Kashmir issue, Pakistan has briefed China about alleged human rights violations in Kashmir during their bilateral strategic dialogue.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, who is on a two-day visit to China, attended the bilateral strategic dialogue meeting and also met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing during his trip, the Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement.

The seventh round of Strategic Dialogue between Pakistan and China was held yesterday in Beijing where Chaudhry led the Pakistani delegation while the Chinese side was headed by Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Asian and Consular Affairs Kong Xuanyou.

Chaudhry apprised his counterpart of the “grave humanitarian situation” in Kashmir and the ongoing “human rights violations”, the statement said.

“He (Chaudhry) expressed the hope that the international community would play its role in calling on India to put an end to blatant human rights violations in the Valley,” the Foreign Office said.

Both sides held detailed discussions on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations between Pakistan and China, including the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), economic cooperation, defence, counter-terrorism, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, culture, education and people to people contact.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in all areas for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

The Foreign Secretary and his Chinese counterpart also exchanged views on regional situation including India, Afghanistan and South China Sea.

Cooperation in multilateral forums including at the UN was also discussed, the statement said.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. They agreed to continue to share their respective perspective, it said.