ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday rejected Indian allegation of politicising Saarc leaders’ video convention on Covid-19 by calling for an finish to communication blockade and lockdown of occupied Kashmir as “misleading and mischievous”.
In an announcement, the International Workplace mentioned that the Indian Ministry of Exterior Affairs tried to twist remarks made by the Minister of State for Well being Dr Zafar Mirza on the Covid-19 Video Convention of Saarc member nations on March 15.
Dr Mirza, whereas collaborating within the convention, had mentioned it was a matter of concern that Covid-19 had been reported from Jammu and Kashmir and in view of the well being emergency, it was crucial that the lockdown there should be lifted instantly.
“Opening up communication and movement would facilitate dissemination of information, allow distribution of medical supplies and allow containment and relief efforts to proceed unimpeded,” he additional mentioned.
Reacting to Dr Mirza’s assertion on the convention, Indian Exterior Affairs Ministry Spokesman Raveesh Kumar mentioned: “We believe that the platform was to bring the countries of the region together to address the pandemic. This was not a political platform, but a humanitarian one, and Pakistan misused it.”
FO says complete world has known as for an finish to lockdown in Kashmir
The FO assertion mentioned that Pakistan was not alone in calling for an finish to communication blockade and lockdown and quite a few voices from inside occupied Jammu and Kashmir, India, and the world have additionally known as for a similar.
Pakistan, the FO mentioned, participated within the video convention to indicate solidarity with Saarc members and reaffirm its abiding dedication to the Saarc course of.
The folks of South Asia are nicely conscious as to which nation has been looking for to “politicise” the Saarc course of and continues to hinder its onward march, the FO assertion reminded.
The assertion underscored that Pakistan believed the collective endeavours of South Asian nations to battle widespread challenges shouldn’t be allowed to turn into sufferer of self-serving propaganda.
Pakistan, it mentioned, had reaffirmed its readiness to host Saarc Well being Ministers’ Convention.
Revealed in Daybreak, March 21st, 2020
