United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres met Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the sidelines of BOAO Forum for Asia

April 10,2018

United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres met Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the sidelines of BOAO Forum for Asia today.

The Prime Minister expressed grave concern at the deteriorating situation in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) and the mindless killing spree of innocent Kashmiris by Indian occupation forces which knows no boundaries. The PM informed the Secretary General about the use of pellet guns by Indian forces in IoK causing the blinding of many innocent Kashmiris who were attending the funerals of young Kashmiris martyred by the Indian Occupation forces and protesting against the use of blatant force. Pakistan seeks a just and peaceful resolution of the dispute, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, added the PM.
The Prime Minister called upon UN to play its part in stopping Indian atrocities being inflicted upon Kashmiris in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. 
The PM apprised that deliberate and unprovoked ceasefire violations by India along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary are moving towards a dangerous escalation resulting in Shahadat (martyrdom) of innocent civilians. The situation can escalate dangerously if the Indian side does not put a stop to repeated violations, stated the PM.
Briefing UN Secretary General on Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts, the Prime Minister stated that Pakistan follows Zero tolerance policy towards terrorism and extremism and has achieved significant success in this regard. 
The Prime Minister also expressed grave concern at the plight of Rohingya Muslims.
The UN Secretary General acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts towards counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance to the Afghan refugees and the UN peacekeeping operations. He maintained that he had been advocating the need for a serious dialogue on the Kashmir issue.
Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister for Interior, Planning, Development & Reform Ahsan Iqbal, Ambassador Masood Khalid and senior officials were also present during the meeting.