Qureshi for more active US role to help lift curfew in IOJ&K

• Qureshi urges visiting US Congressmen for a more active US role to help in lifting the curfew in IoK.
• Foreign minister is talking to visiting US Congressmen Jim Himes and Sean Patrick Maloney.
• Qureshi briefed the Congressmen on state of play in the bilateral relationship between Imran Khan and US President.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday urged the visiting US Congressmen for a more active US role to help in lifting the curfew, ensuring the basic rights of the people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) and resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiris.

The foreign minister was talking to two visiting US Congressmen Jim Himes and  Sean Patrick Maloney, who called on him here.

Both are members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and are visiting Pakistan for the first time.

The foreign minister briefed the Congressmen on the state of play in the bilateral relationship and recent engagements between Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Donald Trump.

It was noted that the two leaders had agreed to intensify the economic and trade relations in order to build a broad-based and enduring partnership.

While appreciating the US president's sincere offer to mediate and his deep concern on the humanitarian crisis in the IOJ&K, the foreign minister apprised the Congressmen on the gravity of situation caused by brazen Indian display of force and continued curfew in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Qureshi also briefed the US delegation on Pakistan’s constructive role and cooperation with the United States in seeking a political solution to the Afghan conflict.