Pak Foreign Minister Qureshi meddles in Kashmir again

NEW DELHI: Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is known more for his bellicosity than correct diplomatic behaviour, on Tuesday seized upon violence in Jammu and Kashmir to allege “human rights violations” in the border state.

In a statement issued by the Pakistani foreign office, Mr Qureshi referred to the ongoing situation in Jammu and Kashmir and said the “violence by Indian security forces” had resulted in the “loss of scores of innocent lives since June”.

Mr Qureshi’s comments came a day after 17 people, including a policeman, were killed and over 70 injured in violence that erupted when mobs torched government properties and a school in Jammu and Kashmir.

“We urge India to exercise restraint and, instead of resorting to violence and procrastination, work towards finding a solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiris,” the statement issued by the Pakistani foreign minister said.

It be recalled that Mr Qureshi had attempted to force India to discuss Kashmir during external affairs minister S M Krishna’s visit to Islamabad. He had doggedly refused to meet India’s precondition — strong and clear action against all perpetrators of the 26/11 attack.