Pakistan offers treatment to injured Kashmiris

Islamabad, August 7: Pakistan has offered to arrange for the treatment of Kashmiris who were injured in the ongoing violence in the Kashmir Valley.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday called upon the international community to request India to allow Pakistan to help in the treatment of the injured persons in the valley, Dawn online reported citing a prime ministerial statement.

At least 55 persons have been killed and hundreds injured in the present unrest in the Kashmir Valley since the killing of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani in a gunfight with the Indian security forces.

Sharif said Pakistan wanted to provide medical treatment to the injured, particularly those injured by pellets.

Pakistan wants to get the best possible medical facilities available in the world for the Kashmiris, he said.

The statement comes days after a war of words erupted between Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Pakistan's Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan over Kashmir, prompting Singh to leave a Saarc meeting halfway through in Islamabad.

"The magnitude of the humanitarian crisis in Kashmir has compelled us to immediately pool our material and human resources for the victims' [treatment]," Sharif said.

"Being blinded has severe consequences for the victims and their families. Some victims of the pellet guns may never see light again. Still, they are resolute; they are guided by the light of freedom for the realisation of their right to self-determination. The world should realise this. Pakistan will continue to support them morally, politically and diplomatically," Sharif maintained.

According to the statement, Sharif has directed Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mobilise support from the international community, humanitarian organisations and civil society through Pakistani missions abroad to exert pressure on India to allow Pakistan to arrange for the treatment of Kashmiris on humanitarian grounds.

The Pakistani government will provide for the boarding, lodging and medical expenses of the victims, he said.

IANS