ISLAMABAD – /DNA/ – We welcome the visit of the Head of the European Union delegation and the ambassadors of Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, Sweden, and the Deputy Ambassador of Norway accredited to Yemen. This visit sends an important political message that expresses the support of the European friends to the Yemeni government in its efforts to normalize public life and to realize peace and to restore security and stability.

Today, we discussed a number of issues, and wherein we made clear that the cowardly terrorist bombing of the Houthi militia with ballistic missiles on Aden International Airport when the new government Cabinet had arrived at the airport was aimed at terminating the peace process and prolonging the war. However, the attack failed to achieve its goals, and it only increased the government’s cohesion and steadfastness to undertake its responsibility to end the militia’s tampering with the security and stability of Yemen; and to put an end to its criminal behavior and the never-ending violations on the rights of the Yemeni people.

We illuminated how the Riyadh Agreement was a significant historical event for renewing hope for a better future and affirming that the approach of dialogue and reconciliation is the most effective way to resolve differences and to defuse the conflict, and that the constructive political atmosphere prevailing in the interim capital Aden, will positively reflect on the government’s performance and enable it to focus on improving public services as an urgent priority.  And we will continue to work with our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to complete the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement.We touched on the issue of the Safer oil tanker and explained that the Houthi militia continues to recant from its commitment to allow the international technical team to access the tanker so as to assess its condition, as they had agreed. 

It is another indication to the international community of the importance of exerting maximum pressure on the Houthi militia in dealing with their methods of manipulation and deception used, which is also a reason for protracting the war and impeding in reaching a political settlement in Yemen, despite all the concessions made by the government in all rounds of negotiations undertaken with the Houthi militia.We affirmed that the government is moving towards a comprehensive national reconciliation and in a political partnership with the international community, to establish the necessary foundations to achieve a real, lasting and comprehensive peace in Yemen, stressing peace is the only way to solve the political crisis in Yemen and to address the catastrophic humanitarian repercussions.

During this visit, the ambassadors met with the Their Excellencies the Prime Minister, the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, the Minister of Legal Affairs and Human Rights, the Minister of Finance and the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank.The ambassadors were briefed on the government’s directions regarding its plans in the next six months to improve living conditions and the provision of basic services, as well as the most important features of the government’s general course of actions. Also discussed were issues related to humanitarian aid and the government’s efforts to facilitate humanitarian work in Yemen as well as the overall economic situation in Yemen.An agreement was also signed between the Republic of Yemen and the Republic of France to postpone the payment of debts in accordance with the joint agreement between the G20 and the Paris Club on April 15, 2020.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 06 (DNA): The Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic
Organization (MAPIM) and Pakistani Friends of Kashmir Saturday gifted
blankets for their Kashmiri brethren as an expression of solidarity on
the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day.

A simple ceremony was held at Kashmir House where the President of AJK,
Sardar Masood Khan received the blankets, handed over to him by the
former High Commissioner for Pakistan to Malaysia, Mr. Mohammad Nafees
Zakaria, on behalf of MAPIM and other Pakistani donors. The aid is
particularly meant for the refugees from Indian Illegally occupied Jammu
and Kashmir (IIOJK).

On the occasion, the President AJK, Sardar Masood, expressed his
profound thanks to MAPIM’s President Haji Mohd Azmi, Malaysian people
and Pakistani Friends of Kashmir for their moral and humanitarian
support to the Kashmiris. Mohd Azmi, he said, was a statesman of
international standing who was had also planned to establish direct
relations between Malaysia and Azad Kashmir. This plan would again pick
up momentum after the Covid pandemic, he said.

Masood Khan appreciated Malaysia’s consistent and valuable support to
the Kashmiris, both at the level of Malaysian leadership and its people.
He also expressed his profound gratitude to Mr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria
for his efforts in bringing Malaysia and Pakistan closer. He recognized
the Ambassador’s strong and steadfast efforts to advocate and plead the
case of Kashmir during his various diplomatic assignments around the
globe.

Earlier this month, MAPIM had presented a cheque of RM 50,000, as a
gesture of solidarity and humanitarian assistance to the Kashmiris in
Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), at a ceremony
attended by the incumbent High Commissioner for Pakistan to Malaysia,
H.E. Amna Baloch as Chief Guest.

In its efforts to muster broader support for the Kashmir cause, MAPIM
has established its Friends of Kashmir Youth Forum and ASEAN Friends of
Kashmir.

While the plight of Kashmiris spans over seven decades, the Indian
military siege of Kashmiris since 5th August 2019, has raised deep
concern among the Muslim countries over the perpetual genocide of
Kashmiri Muslims that has been taking place to primarily change the
demography in IIOJK.

The communication blockade and reports of arbitrary detentions,
extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, sexual harassment,
inhuman treatment and destruction of the properties of Kashmiri Muslims
in IIOJK have prompted UN Rapporteurs to warn the Indian government and
stop atrocities committed by the India occupation forces with impunity
against defenceless Kashmiris.

=======

DNA

ISLAMABAD, FEB 6 – Ambassadors of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu & Kashmir met in New York on 5 February 2021 to commemorate the Kashmir Solidarity Day. Those attended, included the Permanent Representatives of Azerbaijan, Niger, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey as well as the OIC Observer Mission in New York.

In his keynote address (delivered through a recorded video message) to the OIC Contact Group Ambassadors, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi thanked the OIC for effectively articulating the voice of the Islamic Ummah in solidarity and support with the Kashmiris. He commended the New York Chapter of the Contact Group for its role in drawing attention to the plight of the Kashmiris at the UN.

Highlighting grave concerns over Indian moves in IIOJK which, inter alia, entail changing the demographic structure of the occupied territory, the Foreign Minister called on India to rescind its illegal and unilateral actions in IIOJK; halt its egregious human rights violations; provide access to human rights organizations, including the UN fact finding mission and OIC IPHRC; and seek a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UNSC resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The OIC Contact Group Ambassadors reiterated OIC’s unwavering support to the just cause of the Kashmiri people.

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 06 (DNA): A new U.N. report has acknowledged the action taken by Pakistani government against individuals engaged in terrorist activities, and goes on to say that terror group Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was responsible for over 100 “cross-border’ attacks within 3 months last year.

On its part, Pakistan has consistently highlighted the terrorism threat from TTP.

In its 27th report to the U.N. Security Council, the U.N. monitoring team that tracks Al Qaeda, Islamic State and other extremist groups points to the arrests in Pakistan of “individuals engaging in terrorism financing and the freezing of the assets of designated individuals and entities”.

Diplomats noted that the UN acknowledgment of Pakistan actions comes at a time when India continues to blame Pakistan for inaction against the designated groups.

Reporting on the activities of the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the UN report saw the “reunification of splinter groups (of TTP) that took place in Afghanistan”.

The report records that “five entities pledged alliance to TTP in July and August (2020), including the Shehryar Mehsud group, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, Hizb-ul-Ahrar, the Amjad Farooqi group and the Usman Saifullah group (formerly known as Lashkar-e- Jhangvi)”.

The report causations that the merger of TTP has enhanced the threat of terrorism to Pakistan and the region, as it has “increased the strength of TTP and resulted in a sharp increase in attacks”.

In this regard, the UN reported that “TTP was responsible for more than 100 cross-border attacks between July and October 2020”.

The report said that, based on estimates, the TTP’s fighting strength ranges between 2,500 and 6,000.

Last year, Pakistan handed over a dossier  to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the Indian sponsorship of TTP and JuA. Both terrorist groups have been designated by the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the Security Council.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: Pakistan Embassy in Buenos Aires marked the Kashmir Solidarity Day on 5th February 2021 with great fervour to highlight the sacrifices of Kashmiri people against the brutal and illegal occupation and annexation of Kashmir by Indian forces.

The Mission in Buenos Aires invited the Pakistani diaspora and local community living in Argentina for a limited gathering at the Mission to commemorate the day.

Due to COVID-19, large small-scale gatherings are prohibited, therefore, a limited number of people from the community attended a small but graceful program at the Embassy.

The acting Charge d’ Affairs highlighted the significance of Kashmir Solidarity Day to the participants.

It was informed that Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed since 1990 as a day to register a protest and condemn the Indian occupation of Kashmir and express full moral and political support to the just cause of Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination.

The participants were also apprised about the Indian action of 5th August 2019 when it unilaterally scrapped Article 370 and annexed Kashmir in stark violation of United Nations Security resolutions and turning Kashmir into the largest prison on earth by curbing the free movement of eight million Kashmiris.

The Embassy during the day organized a virtual meeting on Zoom where the Pakistani community living in Argentina and the concurrent accredited Countries of Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay attended in a big number and expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people in their struggle against a brutal regime which is hell-bent upon their extermination.

The community in these Countries appreciated the efforts of the Mission to highlight the cause of Kashmir in this part of the World.

The Pakistani community in Chile in close coordination with the Mission organized a limited procession despite strict lockdown in Chile due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

They displayed banners and placards depicting atrocities being carried out in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir.

The speakers at the event expressed support to the cause of Kashmiri people and urged the international community to intervene to stop the Indian human rights violations in IIOJK.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 6 (DNA) – Prime Minister Imran Khan had a telephone conversation with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The two leaders reaffirmed the existing close fraternal relations between Pakistan and the UAE and reiterated the resolve to further solidify and strengthen the multifaceted bilateral relationship.

They also exchanged views on COVID-19 pandemic and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The Prime Minister and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed to continue working closely to enhance bilateral ties as well as cooperation in multilateral organizations.=DNA

========