Call on Foreign Minister by Dato Marzuki Bin Haji Yahya, Deputy Foreign Minister of Malaysia and Special Envoy of Prime Minister Mahathir

Islamabad, November 29, 2019 (PPI-OT): Dato Marzuki Bin Haji Yahya, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Malaysia, called on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi today. The Deputy Foreign Minister is visiting Pakistan as Special Envoy of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in the context of forthcoming KL Summit to be held in Kuala Lumpur on 18-20 December 2019. The Foreign Minister conveyed that Pakistan supported the objectives of the KL Summit and would work closely with Malaysia for its successful conclusion.

Foreign Minister appreciated Malaysia for its principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and briefed the Deputy Foreign Minister on Indian government’s aggressive posturing after its illegal and unilateral actions to change the internationally recognized disputed status of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ and K) and alter its demographic structure. He stressed the importance of averting risks to peace and security arising from such actions by India. On bilateral relations, both sides appreciated the recent high level exchange of visits and reaffirmed the shared commitment to upgrade Pakistan-Malaysia relations in all dimensions.

For more information, contact:
Spokesman
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: +92-51-9205494
Fax: +92-51-9204202
Cell: +92-336-5644459
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91-day shutdown breaks backbone of IT industry in IOK

Srinagar, November 03, 2019 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, although India has officially declared Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh two Union Territories, life in the valley continues to remain paralyzed on the 91st day of lockdown and communications gag. Internet and pre-paid mobile services remain suspended while educational institutions have failed to attract students. Public transport, too, is off the roads. Since the abrogation of Article 370 till the third week of October, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry has faced losses to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore.

Besides, the 91-day-long shutdown has broken the backbone of IT sector in the Kashmir Valley. The shutdown has rendered between 22,000 and 25,000 IT professionals in the Valley jobless. IT companies are incurring heavy losses. Around 32 IT companies, which have their units in the Industrial Estates Rangreth on the outskirts of Srinagar, now bear a deserted look. With the internet blocked in the Valley since August 5, all these units have been shut.

Sheikh Parvez, CEO Srinagar Technology Consultants (STC) Private Limited, said electricity and internet serve as “oxygen” for the IT sector. “Since August 5, the government has denied this oxygen (internet) to us. How can IT companies work?” he asked. Parvez, who started his company in 2005 with only two people, before August 5 provided jobs to 200 people. He said due to the internet blockade he has been forced to lay-off his staff.

Young entrepreneur Hakim Tajamul, who returned to the Valley from Dubai to set up his venture, said all his hard work has been undone. “We are now back to square one and have to restart afresh,” he said. Since 31 October, the valley has witnessed several protests and incidents of violence, especially in Srinagar city. On Friday, some incidents of protests and violence were seen in the valley, police said without giving further details.

Meanwhile, IOK administration has prepared a list of over 450 people including businessmen, journalists, lawyers and political activists, who would not be allowed to travel abroad for a particular time period. Indian troops arrested a youth from Sopore area of Baramullah district.

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Pak-China Agriculture Cooperation Forum

Islamabad, October 30, 2019 (PPI-OT): Federal Minister National Food Security Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan; President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi, Chairman Kashmir Committee Mr. Fakhar Imam, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Chairman CMEC Mr. Zhang Chun, Federal Secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research Dr. Hashim Popalzai, senior officials of the Ministry, Importers and exporters and businessmen from both side participated. President Arif Alvi said that, Pakistan is blessed with natural water resources; we need to use these waters judiciously.

Adopting modern technology is one of the important requirements, and we could mutually exchange views in this regard. Moreover we need to focus on the use of quality seed, especially for cotton production and other important crops. Federal Minister Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan said that, CPEC is the best thing that happened between the two countries. The Agriculture cooperation between the two countries would take this to new heights.

This will give ample opportunity to both the countries for strong investment and joint ventures. Our government is working hard to bring better future for the people of Pakistan, said the Federal Minister. He added that the foundation for this extensive agricultural cooperation was laid down during the visit of Prime Minister to China, where he emphasized the importance of strong agricultural ties between the two countries. Chinese Ambassador Mr. Yao Jing said that we are including Agricultural cooperation as one of the important components in CPEC. This Agriculture cooperation will boost business in two countries. At the occasion President Arif Alvi, laid the foundation of Pak- China Agriculture exchange center. MoU was also signed between China Machinery Engineering Cooperation and Fatima Fertilizer.

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Website: www.pid.gov.pk

Kashmir restrictions devastating: US Congress committee

Washington, October 08, 2019 (PPI-OT): Weeks ahead of Congress’ Asia Subcommittee hearing on human rights in South Asia, the US House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) has said that the communications shutdown is having a devastating impact on Kashmiris and called for restrictions to be lifted.

HFAC said via Twitter said, “India’s communications blackout in Kashmir is having a devastating impact on the lives and welfare of everyday Kashmiris.” The committee asked India to lift the restrictions and afford Kashmiris the same rights and privileges enjoyed by the Indian citizens.

The HFAC account had posted a report by the New York Times that described the death of 22-year-old Amir Farooq Dar. Mr. Dar had died 16 hours after being bitten by a snake, because his family could not get him anti-venom in time because of severe communications and movement restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 (special status for Jammu and Kashmir).

Focus on human rights

The State Department’s top South and Central Asia diplomat, Alice Wells, will be among those testifying at an October 22 HFAC Asia Subcommittee hearing, expected to focus on human rights in Kashmir, The Hindu recently reported.

The Subcommittee, headed by Brad Sherman, a California Democrat, will also discuss the rights of Muslims in Assam (where the National Register of Citizens, finalised at the end of August, excluded over 1.9 million people), Tamils in Sri Lanka and the human rights situation in Pakistan especially in the Sindh province.

U.S. lawmakers have continued to raise the issue of restrictions in Kashmir. Presidential Candidate and Senator Elizabeth Warren tweeted about the issue last Saturday, asking for the rights of Kashmiris to be respected and saying the India-U.S. relationship has always been rooted in “shared democratic values”. The U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations called the situation a “humanitarian crisis” in a September 26 report accompanying the Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Bill, 2020.

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FO terms PM’s speech at UN as history in making

Islamabad, September 28, 2019 (PPI-OT): Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal has termed the Prime Minister’s speech at the United Nations as history in making. In a tweet, he said many Muslim diplomats were in tears when the Prime Minister referred to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

PM speech at UN – It was history in making. Many Muslim diplomats were in tears when PM referred to the Prophet. PM has made a strong case for Muslim Ummah and for Pakistan. The speech will be remembered and referred to in the times to come.

He said Prime Minister has made a strong case for Muslim Ummah and for Pakistan. The speech will be remembered and referred to in the times to come. On the issue of Indian occupied Kashmir, the Foreign Office spokesperson said what happens when curfew is lifted. 100,000 Kashmiris have died in past 30 years.

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Grim situation of Kashmir valley remains unchanged

Srinagar, September 27, 2019 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, the grim situation remains unchanged in Kashmir valley on 54th consecutive day, today, due to continued restrictions and communication blackout imposed by Narendra Modi-led communal government.

Normal life continues to remain crippled in the Kashmir valley and Muslim majority areas of Jammu region due to the snapping of mobile and internet services and closure of shops, markets, business establishments and educational institutions as well as absence of public transport. Thousands of Indian troops and police personnel deployed in every nook and corner of the Kashmir valley keep the residents confined to their homes.

While parents are reluctant to send their wards to schools in the prevailing precarious situation, a very thin attendance of teachers was reported. Attendance of employees in government offices was recorded constantly thin due to the non-availability of public transport. Train service in the occupied territory also remains suspended.

Meanwhile, the occupation authorities intensified restrictions in Srinagar and other areas of the Kashmir valley to prevent people from staging anti-India demonstrations after Juma prayers, today. Indian troops continue massive cordon and search operation in Marwah Colony, Link road, Lanyal and other areas of Kishtwar town, causing huge inconvenience to the local people.

On the other hand, over 780 prominent Indian scientists, researchers and academicians from premier institutions, through two statements, have asked the Modi government to end the restrictions and communications blockade in occupied Kashmir. The statements drew attention to the impact of the restrictions on academic institutions and condemned the snapping of communications and internet services in the occupied territory.

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Ambassador of Japan expresses condolences and sympathies with Earthquake Affectees

Islamabad, September 25, 2019 (PPI-OT): H.E. Mr. Kuninori Matsuda, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, has expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathies with all the people who have been affected by the yesterday’s devastating earthquake. In his separate condolence letters to the President, Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ambassador Matsuda said “our prayers and thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the dreadful earthquake”.

“On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to reaffirm that we are always ready to extend help and assistance to the Government of Pakistan in the time of natural disasters and calamities”, further said the Ambassador in his condolence messages.

For more information, contact:
Embassy of Japan in Pakistan
53-70, Ramna 5/4, Diplomatic Enclave 1,
Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9072500
Fax: +92-51-9072352
Email: culture@ib.mofa.go.jp
Website: http://www.pk.emb-japan.go.jp