COLOMBO: The Higher Commissioner (HC) of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Major General (r) Dr Shahid Ahmad Hashmat called HC called on Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on August 20, 2019 to apprise him on the latest situation in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK), said a press release issued by the Pakistan HC.
According to the press release, the Pakistan HC briefed President Sirisena about India’s illegal and unilateral action in IoK in an effort to change the demographics and the special status of the disputed region. India’s move to revoke Article 370 and 35(A) also came under discussion, added the press release.
During the meeting, Hashmat said that India’s position went against the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and International Law.
The press release further read that President Sirisena acknowledged that Jammu and Kashmir was a disputed territory and said that the dispute should only be resolved according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people under UN resolutions.
In addition, he also offered Sri Lanka’s help in any mediation between India and Pakistan to re-activate the SAARC forum, the press release added.
Later, the Sri Lankan government also issued a statement in response to Pakistan’s HC statement through the President’s Media Division saying that the meeting took place on the request of Pakistani HC, adding that President Sirisena was briefed about the latest developments in Kashmir.
The statement further read that President Sirisena, while addressing the Pakistani HC, said that Sri Lanka enjoyed good relations with both India and Pakistan and the country was interested in witnessing growth and cooperation in the region.
“The President did not make any other comment on the issues pertaining to India and Pakistan,” the statement concluded.
According to the press release, the Pakistan HC briefed President Sirisena about India’s illegal and unilateral action in IoK in an effort to change the demographics and the special status of the disputed region. India’s move to revoke Article 370 and 35(A) also came under discussion, added the press release.
During the meeting, Hashmat said that India’s position went against the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and International Law.
The press release further read that President Sirisena acknowledged that Jammu and Kashmir was a disputed territory and said that the dispute should only be resolved according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people under UN resolutions.
In addition, he also offered Sri Lanka’s help in any mediation between India and Pakistan to re-activate the SAARC forum, the press release added.
Later, the Sri Lankan government also issued a statement in response to Pakistan’s HC statement through the President’s Media Division saying that the meeting took place on the request of Pakistani HC, adding that President Sirisena was briefed about the latest developments in Kashmir.
The statement further read that President Sirisena, while addressing the Pakistani HC, said that Sri Lanka enjoyed good relations with both India and Pakistan and the country was interested in witnessing growth and cooperation in the region.
“The President did not make any other comment on the issues pertaining to India and Pakistan,” the statement concluded.