Mazari discusses IHK situation with European MPs

ISLAMABAD: In her extensive interaction with the European parliamentarians on Wednesday, Minister of Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari spoke about the gross human rights violations being committed by the Indian security forces in the Indian Held Kashmir (IHK).

At a banquet hosted by Member of the European Parliament Wajid Khan, she thanked him and his colleagues for raising their voice in support of Kashmiri people in a recent exchange of views on Kashmir in the Parliament’s sub-committee on human rights.

The MEPs agreed with the minister that there was a need for more concerted efforts by the EU to highlight the Kashmir issue. At the dinner hosted by the Ambassador of Pakistan Naghmana Hashmi, Dr Shireen Mazari briefed the EU parliamentarians, the European Commission officials, members of think tanks and local media, on the mature response of Pakistan to unwarranted escalation by India.

She highlighted that the priorities of the government were to focus on the socio-economic development of Pakistan and peaceful relations with its neighbours. She regretted that Indian domestic politics stood in the way of any meaningful engagement at this point despite Pakistan’s peace overtures, including opening of Kartarpour corridor.

The minister also held a detailed meeting with the EU’s Envoy for Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief Jan Figel. She underscored Pakistan’s concerns over rising incidence of Islamophobia in Europe and urged that the EU should take a proactive role in addressing these concerns. She also briefed the Special Envoy on the steps being taken by the government in the human rights domain.