ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister of Iceland Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson has expressed serious concern on the human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and urged both India and Pakistan to resolve the issue through peaceful means.

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a telephonic conversation with his Icelandic counterpart to brief him on the current situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The foreign minister highlighted the illegal and unilateral steps taken by India to change the disputed status of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and its demographic structure. He added that these steps were against the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and the International Law. He underlined that the actions taken by India posed a grave risk for peace and security in the region.

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FM Qureshi highlighted the severe hardships faced by the people of the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir in the face of unprecedented lockdown of the entire population. He also apprised of the dire human rights and humanitarian situation and Pakistan’s deep concerns about safety and security of the people in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, under unabated curfew since 05 August 2019.

He underscored the importance of the international community playing a role in alleviating the sufferings of the Kashmiri people and facilitating a peaceful resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute.

Both the ministers agreed to stay engaged and work together for peace and stability in the region.

Referring to India’s revocation of special status for Kashmir, American politician of Democratic Party Senator Bernard Sanders on Monday said India’s action against Kashmir was unacceptable.

“I am so deeply concerned about the (ongoing) situation in Kashmir, where the Indian government has revoked Kashmiri autonomy, crackdown on the saints, and instituted a communication blackout.

“The crackdown in the name of “security” is also denying the Kashmiri people access to medical care. Even many respected doctors in India have acknowledged that the Indian government imposed restriction on travel and threatening the life-saving care the patients need,” he said while speaking to a public gathering.