US senators call on PM Imran, express resolve to remain engaged on Kashmir situation – Pakistan

A delegation from the United States high-level Congress called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday to discuss several issues of mutual interest, including the volatile situation in Kashmir occupied by India, said a statement issued by the prime minister's office.

Senators Christopher J. Van Hollen and Margaret C. Hassan are visiting Pakistan to obtain first-hand information and conduct an assessment of the evolution of the situation after the unilateral movement of India to degrade the autonomy of Kashmir occupied on 5 August.

Watch: 60 days later, occupied Kashmir remains under siege

During today's meeting, Prime Minister Imran thanked the "continuing active interest" of the United States Congress, including the two visiting senators, in the tense situation of occupied Kashmir.

According to the press release, the prime minister said the blockade in occupied Kashmir that had been in effect for more than two months, the refusal of the Indian authorities to lift the curfew and the severe shortage of basic needs, including medicines and food in the region, were serious violations. of fundamental human rights and international humanitarian law.

He said the international community must "take into account the serious consequences of Indian actions for regional peace and stability and must act immediately."

The two senators, who visited Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday and held meetings with the president and prime minister of AJK, said they "shared concerns about the current humanitarian situation caused by Indian actions," the statement said.

US lawmakers also expressed their determination to remain committed to the issue of Kashmir.

On Saturday, Senator Hollen had told reporters in New Delhi that Washington was "closely monitoring the humanitarian situation" in the disputed Himalayan region.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on human rights in South Asia later this month and the Kashmir issue is expected to have a prominent place in the deliberations, he said.

Pak-American ties, Afghan peace

Prime Minister Imran during the meeting commented that the relationship between Pakistan and the United States "was based on mutual trust and the partnership for peace."

Senators Vollen and Hassan said they would work for a broad and long-term relationship with better commercial ties between the two countries, according to the press release.

While discussing the regional situation, the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's commitment to facilitate a political solution in Afghanistan.

Noting that both Pakistan and the United States had a shared interest in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan, he stressed the importance of the "earlier resumption" of the peace talks between the United States and the Taliban.

Senator Hollen, who visited Miran Shah on Saturday, thanked the development work done in the area. He also acknowledged the sacrifices made by Pakistani soldiers and civilians as part of the country's campaign to eliminate terrorism.