ISLAMABAD, May 25: The European Parliament’s adoption of Baroness Emma Nicholson’s ‘Report on Kashmir: Present Situation and Future Prospects’ passed with an overwhelming majority on Thursday has drawn a sharp reaction from the Pakistan Foreign Office.
Pointing to the “numerous factual inaccuracies, distortions and extraneous elements” in the report which have no bearing on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam noted: “this detracts from the objectivity and credibility of the report and, therefore, undermines the ability of the European Parliament to play a helpful role.”
The spokesperson said the report, although modified through dozens of amendments, left much to be desired to make it objective. Calling upon the international community to put its weight behind the efforts for a solution that represents the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, the spokesperson cautioned: “This is a heavy responsibility on the international community as failure to address longstanding disputes is already having grave consequences for global peace and security,” adding: “We expect the European Union and the European Parliament to support efforts for a just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.”
She underlined: “The report calls upon India and Pakistan to continue efforts for a resolution of the Kashmir dispute in the light of the President of Pakistan’s ideas of self-governance, freedom of movement and demilitarisation, calls on India to repeal all provisions providing immunity to armed forces and to establish an independent and impartial commission of inquiry into serious violations of human rights by Indian security forces since the beginning of the conflict.”
Refuting the report’s criticism of the initial handling of the October 2005 earthquake, the spokesperson asserted: “Pakistan government’s quick response and subsequent relief and rehabilitation efforts, with the assistance of the international community, have been universally acknowledged and are being cited as a model rescue and relief mission by the United Nations.”
It is learnt that Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri will raise the issue with the EU Commissioner for External Affairs Benita Ferrero-Waldner and EU High Representative Javier Solana.
