Pak asks Int'l community to take notice of HR violations in J

Islamabad, Aug 13 (UNI) Pakistan today urged the international community particularly United Nations, OIC and human rights organisations to take notice of alleged grave human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

''Pakistan has set in motion the process to raise the issue at various levels in the wake of brutal killing of Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz and other activists by Indian forces on Monday,'' Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said at his press briefing here .

He said Pakistan has already condemned the incident, adding that Pakistan is also concerned over attacks on the life and property of Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir and their economic blockade by exremist elements, which have serious humanitarian implications.

He called for immediate steps to end violence against innocent Kashmiris.

The spokesman hoped that the international community would take notice of unwarranted violence against Jammu and Kashmir and their economic blockade perpetrated by extremist elements.

He urged India to observe restraint and rein-in the extremist elements seeking economic destruction of the Kashmiri people.

The spokesman said it is important that an enabling environment, free of violence, is created to sustain the peace process and address the long standing issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

He rejected Indian criticism of Pakistan's concern and protest over alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir and said as per UN resolution Kashmir is a disputed territory and not part of India.

He said international community also considers Jammu and Kashmir as disputed territory. Similarly, inclusion of the issue in the composite dialogue process is also recognition of its disputed nature.

He told a questioner that neither Afghanistan nor India has provided any evidence in support of their allegations regarding Pakistan's involvement in Indian embassy attack in Kabul despite repeated demands.

He said unsubstantiated allegations do not help the war on terror or promote regional peace and stability.

UNI XC PD RP AS1637