ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: Expressing his grief over the murder of APHC leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Monday that Pakistan called for immediate steps to end violence against Kashmiris.

In a statement issued here, he said: “The government of Pakistan condemns the excessive and unwarranted use of force against the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir.”

“It is important that an enabling environment, free of violence, is created to sustain the peace process and address the long standing dispute of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

The Foreign Office expressed concern over reports of attacks on the life and property of Muslims in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and their economic blockade by extremist elements.

“Reportedly, the movement of trucks to and from the valley is being blocked. This has serious humanitarian implications,” it said in a statement.

“Pakistan calls for immediate steps to address the situation and prevent the human rights violations in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” the statement added.—APP