Day: May 27, 2022

Islamabad, May 27, 2022 (PPI-OT):Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, in a meeting today in New York, reaffirmed the strong determination of Pakistan and the U.S. to strengthen their broad-based longstanding bilateral relations.

The Foreign Minister and Secretary Blinken had an hour-long meeting at the UN Headquarters. This was their first face-to-face meeting following their extensive telephone conversation on May 6.

The Foreign Minister is visiting New York to participate in the “Global Food Security Call to Action” Ministerial meeting to be chaired by Secretary Blinken in the afternoon at the UN Headquarters. The Foreign Minister will also address the UN Security Council on Thursday, May 19.

The Foreign Minister and the Secretary of State covered the full spectrum of Pakistan-U.S. relations and discussed global and regional situation.

The two sides expressed satisfaction over the ongoing bilateral engagement in the areas of trade and investment, climate, energy, health and education and underlined the need to further reinforce cooperation through dialogue and decisions at a higher level.

The Foreign Minister and Secretary Blinken noted the recent growth of the tech sector in Pakistan. Secretary Blinken said the U.S. would support Pakistan to make its tech industry more productive.

The Foreign Minister said, “Pakistan will work with the U.S. Administration to improve trade relations between Pakistan and the United States and create opportunities for American investors and Pakistani investors, and Pakistani businessmen and American entrepreneurs to work together”.

Both sides agreed to intensify their cooperation in the area of women empowerment. The Foreign Minister said that this is an absolute priority for the Government of Pakistan.

The Foreign Minister briefed Secretary Blinken about the endeavors being made by Pakistan to stabilize its economy. In response, Secretary Blinken said the U.S. Government would be supportive of Pakistan’s efforts in that direction.

The Foreign Minister and Secretary Blinken expressed their resolve to work on their shared objectives of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. The Foreign Minister underscored the importance of inclusivity, protection of human rights, especially of women and girls, and timely humanitarian relief in Afghanistan. The Foreign Minister further stressed the importance of effective ways to address the threat of terrorism, now and in the future.

The Foreign Minister said that conflicts can be very traumatic for nations as was evident from the prolonged struggle against international terrorism, which had affected our region and beyond.

The Foreign Minister stressed that Pakistan remained extremely concerned over the rising Islamophobia and gross human rights violations in IIOJK as well as against the minorities which was threatening regional peace and stability.

The Foreign Minister maintained that the immediate challenge in Afghanistan was how to avert dire humanitarian crisis and stressed it was essential to consider additional ways to facilitate banking channels to spur economic activity.

The Foreign Minister underlined the importance to the adherence by all member States to the Charter Principles of non-use or threat of use of force, respect for sovereignty of states, and pacific settlement of disputes. The Foreign Minister said Pakistan was facing challenges in food security, water security and energy security because of a whole host of issues ranging from climate change and global developments.

Referring to Pakistan’s current Chairmanship of Group of 77, Secretary Blinken said that the U.S. looked forward to strengthening its relations with that Group through dialogue and communication. The Foreign Minister welcomed the proposal and said that Pakistan would fully engage with the U.S. for promoting dialogue between the G77 and the U.S.

For more information, contact:

PPP Media Cell (Sindh)

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)

Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,

Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan

Cell: +92-305-3370383

Email: contact@ppp-tu.com

Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

Islamabad, May 27, 2022 (PPI-OT):Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari received a telephone call today from the United States’ Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. During the phone call, Secretary Blinken congratulated Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on assumption of his Office and expressed the desire to continue strengthening mutually beneficial Pakistan-U.S. bilateral relationship.

Exchanging views on various aspects of Pakistan-U.S. relations, the Foreign Minister underscored that Pakistan and the United States have a longstanding broad-based relationship. He added that constructive and sustained engagement between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest was vital to promote peace, development and security in the region and beyond. The Foreign Minister emphasized that Pakistan’s vision was focused on human development, regional connectivity, and a peaceful neighbourhood.

Building on the Pakistan-U.S. cooperation in dealing with the Covid pandemic during the last two years, Secretary Blinken invited Pakistan to the Second Global Covid Summit to be held virtually later this month. An invitation was also extended by the Secretary of State for Pakistan’s participation in the Ministerial meeting on Global Food Security to be held in New York on 18 May 2022. The Foreign Minister and the Secretary of State agreed to remain in contact and enhance engagement on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

For more information, contact:

PPP Media Cell (Sindh)

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)

Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,

Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan

Cell: +92-305-3370383

Email: contact@ppp-tu.com

Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

Islamabad, May 27, 2022 (PPI-OT):Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met the United Nations Secretary General (UNSG), Mr. Antonio Guterres, at the UN Headquarters in New York, today. The Foreign Minister underscored the importance attached to multilateralism and UN in Pakistan’s foreign policy. He stated that Pakistan adheres firmly to the principles of the UN Charter and has always supported solutions to global issues in accordance with those principles.

The Foreign Minister added that, as the current Chair of the Group of 77 and China, Pakistan welcomes the support of the UNSG to the objectives pursued by the developing countries at the UN. He particularly emphasized the need to advance the attainment of the first two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at ending poverty and hunger.

On the situation in Ukraine, the Foreign Minister appreciated the Secretary General’s efforts to promote a negotiated solution and shared Pakistan’s perspective. The Foreign Minister highlighted the grim situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) marked by grave violations of human rights and illegal demographic changes. He underscored that Pakistan desires peace with all its neighbours, including India, which will continue to remain elusive unless the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with the UN Security resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The Foreign Minister lauded the Secretary General’s commitment to combat Islamophobia and also reaffirmed the resolve to work closely with him in this endeavour including in Pakistan’s capacity as the current Chair of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.

The Foreign Minister appreciated the UNSG’s role in mobilizing humanitarian and economic assistance for the Afghan people. The Foreign Minister shared Pakistan’s concern about the spillover of instability in Afghanistan into Pakistan. He emphasized the international community’s response must address the urgent humanitarian needs and avoid a complete collapse of the economy in Afghanistan that will have dire consequences for ordinary Afghans.

For more information, contact:

PPP Media Cell (Sindh)

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)

Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,

Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan

Cell: +92-305-3370383

Email: contact@ppp-tu.com

Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

Islamabad, May 27, 2022 (PPI-OT):Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a telephone conversation today with OIC Secretary General, H.E. Hissein Brahim Taha, to apprise him of the latest situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in the wake of the report of the so-called “Delimitation Commission” in the occupied territory.

Dismissing the report as another outrageous attempt by India at political gerrymandering, the Foreign Minister said that by redrawing electoral boundaries blatantly favouring the Hindu-dominated constituencies, the so-called “Delimitation Commission” has validated the worst fears of the Kashmiri people that the BJP Government in India sought to disempower and disenfranchise them by altering the demographic structure of the IIOJK with a view to converting the Muslim majority into a minority.

The Foreign Minister said this illegal and farcical attempt was in contravention of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, international law, and the 4th Geneva Convention which imposes certain obligations on occupying powers including not to change the demographic structure of the occupied territories. Pakistan and the Kashmiris categorically rejected it.

Commending the OIC’s long-standing and principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the Foreign Minister noted that the various resolutions and declarations including those adopted during the 48th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Islamabad in March 2022 unequivocally rejected the illegal and unilateral Indian actions of 5 August 2019 and all subsequent steps, to perpetuate its occupation of the IIOJK.

The Foreign Minister said that in its capacity as the CFM Chair, Pakistan will continue to sensitize the international community of the plight of the long-suffering Kashmiri people. The OIC Secretary General reaffirmed steadfast support to the just struggle of the Kashmiris for their inalienable right to self-determination, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council and OIC resolutions, and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

For more information, contact:

PPP Media Cell (Sindh)

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)

Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,

Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan

Cell: +92-305-3370383

Email: contact@ppp-tu.com

Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

Islamabad, May 27, 2022 (PPI-OT):Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is visiting the UAE, today, to offer condolences to the Al-Nahyan family, the leadership and people of the UAE, on the passing away of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. In the demise of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa, the UAE has lost a visionary and statesman, who profoundly transformed the country.

Pakistan has also lost a sincere friend and partner who made invaluable contributions towards strengthening fraternal ties between the two countries. In this hour of grief, the thoughts and prayers of the people of Pakistan are with the Al-Nahyan family and the Emirati brethren.

For more information, contact:

PPP Media Cell (Sindh)

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)

Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,

Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan

Cell: +92-305-3370383

Email: contact@ppp-tu.com

Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

Islamabad, May 27, 2022 (PPI-OT):Pakistan continues to internationally highlight the alarming situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in the wake of India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019.

As part of this ongoing effort, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has addressed a comprehensive letter to the President of the UN Security Council and the Secretary General of the United Nations on 10 May 2022. The letter apprises them, in particular, of India’s sinister ploy of reducing the representation of Muslims through the unlawful ‘delimitation’ exercise in IIOJK.

The Foreign Minister underscored that these illegal measures constitute flagrant violation of international law including the UN Charter and the relevant Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir dispute, and were ipso facto illegal and null and void.

The Foreign Minister also highlighted India’s gross, systematic and widespread human rights violations in IIOJK and drew particular attention to the ongoing Indian efforts to further marginalize, disempower and divide the beleaguered Kashmiri population.

He noted that this was a shameless assault on the identity, fundamental rights of the people, and culture of IIOJK, and was designed to pave the way for installing yet another puppet government in IIOJK that is pliant to BJP-RSS combine, and panders to its “Hindutva” ideology.

He also underscored that under the garb of this inherently ill-intentioned process, India had attempted to carry out demographic engineering in the IIOJK in a bid to convert Muslim majority constituencies into Hindu-majority ones.

Through the sham ‘Delimitation’ exercise, it is obvious that India is aiming to speed up the process of demographic changes that it has already set in motion through measures such as doling out of millions of domicile certificates, offering of jobs, and putting up of land in IIOJK for sale to non-Kashmiris, in complete disregard to the international law and relevant Geneva Conventions.

The Foreign Minister urged the UN Security Council to:

Take immediate cognizance of the grave implications of the illegal ‘delimitation’ of IIOJK by India;

Remind India that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognized dispute pending resolution, and that India should refrain from bringing about any illegal demographic changes in the occupied territory in contravention to international law, the Geneva Conventions, and India’s own obligations under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions;

Compel and counsel India to halt its human rights abuses against the people of IIOJK and cease forthwith the endemic political persecution and economic exploitation of the Kashmiris;

Prevail upon India to let the people of IIOJK determine their own future through a free and fair plebiscite under the United Nations auspices as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

For more information, contact:

PPP Media Cell (Sindh)

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)

Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,

Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan

Cell: +92-305-3370383

Email: contact@ppp-tu.com

Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk