Pakistan’s premier contacts world leaders on Kashmir

KARACHI, Pakistan

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron, and Jordanian King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein to discuss the current situation in disputed Jammu Kashmir following India’s withdrawal of the region’s longstanding autonomy earlier this month.

Khan during separate telephonic conversations with the two leaders, briefed them on the current situation in the Jammu Kashmir highlighting the “illegal” and “unilateral” steps taken by the India to change the status and demographic structure of the disputed region, said a statement from the Prime Minister Office.

Highlighting the severe hardships faced by Kashmiris in the face of a massive lockdown, Khan apprised Macron on the worsening situation of basic human rights, safety and security of the people in Jammu Kashmir, which has been under curfew since 05 August 2019, the statement added.

Underlining the importance of resolving all outstanding issues through peaceful means, Macron said that France was closely observing the situation in Jammu Kashmir, according to the statement.

The French President also appreciated Pakistan’s positive role in bringing peace in neighboring Afghanistan.

The two leaders agreed to continue to work together for peace and stability in the region, the statement said.

King Adbullah, for his part, called for de-escalation of the situation and stressed for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute through dialogue.

He said that Jordan would consult other countries on the situation in Kashmir, the statement concluded.

Already mounting tensions between the nuclear-armed Pakistan and India have further flared up following the scrapping of the special status of the disputed Himalayan valley.

India, earlier this month, removed all special provisions granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of Indian Constitution.

It also divided the erstwhile province into two centrally administered "union territories" and took away powers from the assembly.

Jammu and Kashmir is under near-complete lockdown since Aug. 5 after India scrapped the special provisions, according to several rights group, including the Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

India blocked communications and imposed strict restrictions to thwart any rebellion while political leaders in the region have been detained as the right groups repeatedly called on New Delhi to lift the restrictions and release political detainees.

From 1954 until Aug. 5, 2019, Jammu and Kashmir had special provisions under which it enacted its own laws. The provisions also protected the region's citizenship law, which barred outsiders from settling in and owning land in the territory.

India and Pakistan both hold Kashmir in parts and claim it in full. China also controls part of the contested region, but it is India and Pakistan who have fought two wars over Kashmir.