Pakistan asks 'Doctors Without Borders' for help in Kashmir

Islamabad, Aug 6: Top Pakistani foreign advisor on Friday requested Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) - commonly known as "Doctors Without Borders" - to immediately provide medical assistance to thousands of people injured in the Kashmir Valley due to "state aggression by Indian forces".

Adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz made the formal request by writing a letter to the international president of MSF, highlighting the state of medical emergency in Jammu and Kashmir, said a statement issued by the foreign ministry.

It further notified MSF that the emergency situation in the Kashmir developed as a "result of the atrocious Indian brutalities against unarmed and defenseless civilians".

Aziz particularly emphasised the urgent need of eye surgeons, as hundreds of people were suffering from severe eye injuries caused by the use of pellet guns on peaceful protesters.

Main hospitals in the improverished valley are struggling to treat hundreds of patients wounded in clashes by security forces, and many injured people have lost their eyesight from shotgun injuries.

Clashes in the Valley have erupted after security forces gunned down top Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani on July 8, nearly 60 people have been killed and thousands have been injured with many having life threatening wounds.

IANS