Latest news with #IIOJK
Business Recorder
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Quad ministers condemn April attack in IIOJK without naming Pakistan
WASHINGTON: The Quad grouping of the United States, India, Japan and Australia called on Tuesday for the perpetrators of an attack that killed 26 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to be brought to justice without delay. The April 22 attack sparked heavy fighting between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan in the latest escalation of a decades-old rivalry as India blamed it on Pakistan, which denied responsibility while calling for a neutral investigation. The US State Department issued a joint statement by the foreign ministers of the grouping, who met in Washington, but did not name Pakistan or blame Islamabad. 'The Quad unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism,' the ministers said in the statement. India-Pakistan conflict hits shared love of film, music They called on all members of the United Nations to cooperate actively with 'all relevant authorities' in delivering justice to the 'perpetrators, organisers, and financiers of this reprehensible act', without any delay. On May 7, Indian jets bombed sites across the border that New Delhi described as 'terrorist infrastructure', setting off an exchange of attacks between the two countries by fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery that killed dozens until a ceasefire on May 10. The ceasefire was first announced by US President Donald Trump on social media after Washington held talks with both sides, but India has differed with Trump's claims that it resulted from his intervention and threats to sever trade talks. India's position has been that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve their problems directly and with no outside involvement. On Monday, India's foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, restated its position that trade was not a factor in the ceasefire. Pakistan, India exchange lists of prisoners 'Relationships will never be free of issues,' he said, referring to the United States, adding, 'What matters is the ability to deal with it and to keep that trend going in the positive direction.'
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan pledges to stamp out torture
As the world observes the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on Thursday, Pakistan reiterated its solidarity with torture victims globally and reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating torture and upholding human dignity. "Islam upholds the sanctity and dignity of every human being. Any act of torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment is incompatible with the values of justice, mercy, and compassion that are at the core of Islamic teachings," the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a message on the Day. He said that guided by these values and its international obligations, Pakistan remained committed to eradicating torture and strengthening protections for all individuals. "Legal reforms, institutional safeguards, and oversight mechanisms continue to be strengthened by Pakistan to ensure accountability and uphold the rule of law. Measures are also being taken to provide victims with medical, legal, and psycho-social support," he remarked. The spokesperson said that Pakistan remained gravely concerned at the widespread and systematic use of torture as an instrument of oppression in situations of foreign occupation. He highlighted that the people of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the IIOJK continued to be subjected to the worst forms of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the occupying powers to suppress their right to self-determination. "Pakistan reiterates its call on the international community to condemn the crimes of these occupying powers and to hold them accountable, in addition to helping end the plight of the victims of their torture and oppression," he added.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
SCO refuses to toe India's line
Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Iran's Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, Kazakhstan's Defence Minister Dauren Kosanov, Kyrgyzstan's Defence Minister Ruslan Mukambetov, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Russia's Defence Minister Andrei Belousov applaud following a group photo, before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao, Shandong province, China June 26, 2025. Photo: Reuters Listen to article Defence ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) were unable to adopt a joint statement at their meeting in Qingdao, China, after India reportedly refused to sign the document, claiming it was pro-Pakistan for not referencing the April attack on Indian tourists. The SCO is a 10-member Eurasian security and political bloc comprising China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran and several Central Asian states. The defence ministers' meeting was held ahead of the annual leaders' summit scheduled for later this year. Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif led Pakistan's delegation at the meeting, where he reaffirmed the country's commitment to regional stability, collective security and counterterrorism cooperation. In his address, the minister condemned Israel's recent military actions against Iran and the continuing violence in Gaza while calling for peaceful resolutions to long-standing global disputes, including Kashmir and Palestine. Read More: SCO brings Pakistan, India defence ministers together Underscoring the SCO's importance as a platform for dialogue, mutual trust and regional cooperation, Mr Asif reiterated Pakistan's commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter and the SCO Charter, describing them as essential to promoting global peace, good neighbourly relations and multilateral collaboration. He further condemned the recent terrorist attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), urging the international community to hold accountable those who finance and support such acts. He also referred to the Jaffar Express bombing in Balochistan as another example of cross-border terrorism undermining regional peace. Highlighting unresolved conflicts as serious threats to global stability, Mr Asif stressed the need for peaceful resolution of issues like Kashmir and Palestine through diplomacy, mediation and sustained dialogue. However, the meeting reportedly faced a setback when India declined to endorse the final statement, arguing it favoured Pakistan's stance. The Indian delegation objected to the omission of any reference to the April 22 attack on Hindu pilgrims in IIOJK, in which 26 people were killed. India blamed Pakistan for the incident, a charge Islamabad firmly rejected. The attack led to some of the most intense cross-border exchanges in years, after India claimed to have targeted 'terrorist infrastructure' in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan denied the accusation, stating that the sites targeted were civilian in nature and had no links to terrorism. Also Read: Rajnath to attend SCO summit in China Citing anonymous sources, the Foreign News Agency reported that Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh believed the draft communiqué 'diluted India's position on critical issues such as terrorism and regional security.' Singh reportedly said the joint statement 'suited Pakistan's narrative' because it omitted the April attack but included mention of terrorist activity in Balochistan — a region where Pakistan has long accused India of supporting separatist elements, allegations that New Delhi denies. "Certain members, member countries, could not reach consensus on certain issues and hence the document could not be finalised on our side," Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters at a weekly media briefing. "India wanted concerns on terrorism reflected in the document, which was not acceptable to one particular country and therefore the statement was not adopted," he said, without naming the country. The Qingdao meeting marked the first time senior ministers from India and Pakistan shared a stage since their military standoff in May.
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan stands in solidarity with torture victims worldwide on International Day
Listen to article On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Pakistan expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir (IOJK), condemning acts of torture and brutality by occupying forces. In a statement released today, Pakistan expressed its strong opposition to torture, underlining that it remains deeply committed to eradicating such practices and strengthening the protection of human dignity. The country reaffirmed commitment to eradicating torture and standing in solidarity with victims worldwide. The foreign office stated that torture, in all its forms, is incompatible with the core values of justice, mercy, and compassion embedded in Islam. These principles, it added, are the foundation for the nation's stance on human rights. "Islam upholds the sanctity and dignity of every human being," the statement read. "Any act of torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment is inconsistent with the values of justice and compassion at the core of Islamic teachings." Read: Israeli forces kill 60, half near aid centres According to the statement Pakistan's commitment to combating torture is reflected in its ongoing legal reforms and the strengthening of institutional safeguards. The government is actively enhancing oversight mechanisms and legal frameworks to ensure accountability and protect individuals from inhuman practices. Furthermore, efforts are being made to provide victims of torture with essential medical, legal, and psychological support. Furthermore, the statement highlighted Pakistan's concerns regarding the widespread use of torture in occupied territories. Pakistan condemned the ongoing abuse faced by the people of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where they have been subjected to brutal treatment by the occupying powers. These actions, Pakistan stressed, are intended to suppress their right to self-determination and continue to violate fundamental human rights. Pakistan reiterated its call for the international community to condemn the actions of these occupying powers and hold them accountable for their violations. The statement urged global support for ending the suffering of victims and ensuring the protection of their rights.
Arab News
7 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan decries use of torture in Palestine, Kashmir on UN anti-torture day
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday expressed grave concern over the use of torture as a tool of repression in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Indian-administered Kashmir, accusing the 'occupying powers' of systematically inflicting abuse to suppress demands for self-determination. The statement came on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, marked each year on June 26 to promote the eradication of torture and support survivors. The UN General Assembly designated the day in 1997, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1987 entry into force of the UN Convention Against Torture. Human rights groups have long reported widespread abuse in both Palestine and Kashmir, including arbitrary detentions, custodial beatings and torture, particularly of young men and boys. 'The people of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) continue to be subjected to the worst forms of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the occupying powers to suppress their right to self-determination,' the foreign office said in a statement. Reaffirming its commitment to human dignity and justice, Pakistan said it was strengthening legal reforms, institutional safeguards and oversight mechanisms to prevent torture and promote accountability. It also underscored its provision of medical, legal, and psycho-social support to victims. Citing the values of justice and compassion in religious teachings, the foreign ministry said any act of torture was incompatible with Islam and international law. Pakistan called on the international community to condemn what it described as systematic crimes by occupying forces and to take steps to hold them accountable.
