PARIS: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday apprised Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of France, of the worsening human rights situation in India-held Kashmir, including brutal killings and severe eye injuries and blindness caused by indiscriminate use of pellet guns.

Mr Dar, who is on a visit to Paris, urged France, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, to raise its voice against the Indian oppression in held Kashmir and play a constructive role in resolving the long-standing dispute in accordance with the UNSC resolutions.

According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Embassy in France, the minister conveyed his deepest condolences on the loss of lives in the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Nice.

Condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, Mr Dar said: “We share the pain and grief of the French people as Pakistan itself has been victim of terrorism for past decades.”

Both the ministers expressed satisfaction over the overall upward trajectory of bilateral relations.

Noting that the current volume of bilateral trade was not commensurate with the true potential, they agreed to intensify efforts through high-level visits, exchange of business delegation and increased cooperation in the education and cultural fields.

They also agreed, in principle, to upgrade the political and economic consultations to the ministerial level.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2016