ISLAMABAD: President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Volkan Bozkir, Thursday called for solution of Jammu and Kashmir issue through peaceful means as per the UN Charter and Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, saying it was Pakistan’s duty to bring the issue to the United Nations platform more strongly.
Speaking at a joint news conference along with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the visiting UNGA president said that both the issues of Palestine and Kashmir are of the same age, “but unfortunately, Palestine issue has more political will behind it than the Kashmir dispute.”
“I think, it is a duty, especially of Pakistan to bring this [Kashmir issue] to the United Nations platform more strongly,” he said, adding that the UN’s position on Jammu and Kashmir is governed by the UN charter and applicable Security Council’s resolutions.
He pointed out the Simla Agreement between Pakistan and India states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means in accordance with the UN charter.
“This is very important that we all must remember…all parties must refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir. This is very important part as to how we look into the case,” he asserted.
To a question if a special session likewise on Palestine could also be convened on Jammu and Kashmir during his presidency, he said that before convening a special session of the UNGA on Kashmir, there has to be a broader support from the member states, adding that a session on Kashmir can be convened only if he feels such a support.
Otherwise, he added that it will harm the issue.
On the Palestinian issue, he said that as a president of the UNGA his duty is to remain impartial, adding when it comes to the issue of Palestine no UNGA president can remain impartial.
Impartiality also has a definition and my definition is to help the people to solve problems to be fair and just and that’s I think is impartiality, he added.
He emphasized the need for the solution of the Palestinian issue with the goal of ending the occupation and addressing the final status, including the status of Jerusalem and achieving two independent viable sovereign states of Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and mutual recognition within recognised borders on the basis of pre 1967 lines with Jerusalem as the capital of both the states.
“This is the bottom-line without this we cannot achieve,” he said, adding that efforts need to be continued in the UNGA to force the UNSC and the secretary-general who has an obligation to look into the success stories of the institutions.
The president UNGA also appreciated Pakistan's efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan, adding that Pakistan’s role is crucial for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
He said the solution to the Afghan issue would have regional and global effects.
“I think what Pakistan is doing together with Turkey and Afghanistan is very important," he said.
Bozkir, who hails from Turkey, also praised Prime Minister Imran Khan and his efforts, particularly the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami initiative, giving voice to the difficulties being faced by countries with debt issues and Pakistan's performance in dealing with Covid-19, which he said was “remarkable” and comparatively much better than other countries.
He also hailed Foreign Minister Qureshi's leadership on the Palestine issue as important and said, he had represented Pakistan in the world "in a very good way."
In his remarks, the foreign minister called upon the UN to play its role for the resolution of Palestine as well as Jammu and Kashmir disputes, which are on the agenda of the Security Council for over seven decades.
“Pay attention. These are international obligations. The UN must play that role of responsibility which is due," Qureshi asserted.
He pointed out that there are similarities between Palestine situation and that of Jammu and Kashmir, adding that the oppressed peoples in both the territories faced with the worst form of human rights violations are demanding their right to self-determination.
He categorically stated that Kashmir dispute is a reality and nobody can remove it from the agenda of the UN Security Council.
He said that Pakistan expects the UN to continue to play its leadership role for the revival of peace process in the Middle East.
“The fire there can be extinguished through dialogue and a two state solution in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions,” he said, adding that timely humanitarian assistance should also be provided to the Palestinians affected by the Israeli aggression.
Qureshi said Pakistan has supported the Afghan reconciliation process and will continue to do so.
He said Pakistan is supportive of Istanbul process and international conference that should take place at the earliest in Istanbul.
Prior to the joint presser, the visiting UNGA president Bozkir and Foreign Minister Qureshi also held a meeting.
According to a statement of the Foreign Office, the interaction included a tête-à-tête, followed by delegation-level talks.
The foreign minister also hosted a lunch in the honour of the visiting dignitary which was attended by ministers and members of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
The foreign minister discussed a wide range of political and socio-economic issues on the UN agenda with the PGA, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, situation in Palestine, Afghan peace process, reform of the UN Security Council, equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines, and financing for sustainable development.
Qureshi apprised Bozkir about the grave human rights and humanitarian situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
He stressed that India’s systematic efforts to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory were in contravention of international law, including the 4th Geneva Convention.
He called for a just and peaceful solution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Condemning the Israeli atrocities in Occupied Palestinian Territories, the foreign minister commended the role of Bozkir in organising a special meeting of the UN General Assembly last week.
He emphasised that the international community must fulfill its responsibility in protecting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and take steps to facilitate a just, comprehensive and lasting solution in line with the UN resolutions envisaging the establishment of a viable, independent and contiguous Palestinian state, with pre-1967 borders, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Focusing on the importance of the UN reforms, the foreign minister underscored the need to transform the Organisation into a more effective, transparent, democratic, accountable and efficient body.
Appreciating the role of the PGA in that regard, he reiterated Pakistan’s support for a comprehensive and consensus-based reform of the UN Security Council.
The foreign minister highlighted Pakistan’s positive contribution in facilitating the Afghan peace process and reiterated Pakistan’s support for a negotiated political settlement for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process.
Welcoming the PGA’s initiative of “Vaccine 4 All”, the foreign minister re-emphasized Pakistan’s call for universal access to affordable vaccines for COVID-19.
He stressed the importance of removing export restrictions on vaccines and essential materials for the benefit of humanity.
Qureshi further stressed the need for enhanced international cooperation, under UN auspices, to end illicit financial flows and enhance investments in sustainable infrastructure in order to meet the sustainable development and climate goals.
Bozkir is on an official visit to Pakistan from 26 to 28 May 2021.
Bozkir – the first Turkish national to preside over the UN General Assembly – is a former diplomat and a senior politician.
He earlier visited Pakistan in August 2020.
The PGA’s second visit to Islamabad in less than a year is reflective of Pakistan’s support for multilateralism and the central role of the UN in international affairs.
It signifies Pakistan’s commitment to promoting the UN’s mission of peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights for all.
Earlier, speaking at the National Defence University (NDU), he said peace, stability and prosperity hinges on normalisation of relations between Pakistan and India, which is possible by finding the two countries resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Talking about Palestine issue, he stressed the need for swift return to negotiations with a goal of ending the occupation.
He said Palestinians should be given their right to have their own independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Regarding peace in Afghanistan, Volkan Bozkir said peace in Afghanistan is imperative for stability in Afghanistan.
He said Afghan peace process should be Afghan owned and Afghan led.
He also appreciated Pakistan's role in the peace process in Afghanistan.
He also appreciated Pakistan's efforts in containing the Covid-19 pandemic.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021
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