Pakistan has expressed 'deep concerns' over the lack of medical supplies and assistance in Indian occupied Kashmir where more than 170 cases of novel coronavirus have surfaced so far with five confirmed fatalities.

“Voices from within India and around the world continue to condemn the inhuman oppression of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," said Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui on Thursday.

Speaking at the weekly press briefing, she also recalled that in a recent joint statement "six international human rights organisations underscored that measures to combat Covid-19 must respect human rights of every individual and urgently release all political prisoners, human rights defenders and all those arrested in occupied Kashmir after August 5, 2019.”

“These organisations, in their joint statement also reminded India of its obligation under international law to ensure the physical and mental health and well-being of inmates,” she said.

Bids to change demographics

Aisha also condemned the new domicile law introduced in the region under which a person who has resided in occupied Kashmir for 15 years will be able to call the territory his or her place of domicile.

“The [law] is another illegal step by India to settle non-Kashmiris in the occupied valley by changing domicile laws.

“At this moment of a global health crisis, [changing the law] is a particularly reprehensible act as it seeks to take advantage of the international community’s focus on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and further advance the Bharatiya Janata Party’s sinister Hindutva agenda,” she said.

Repatriation of Pakistanis

About bringing back stranded Pakistanis from virus-hit countries, she said: “A comprehensive and phased plan for repatriation of our nationals in different countries has been made.” Under the plan, some 772 Pakistanis have returned through special flights operated by PIA in the past few days.

“Plans for repatriation of our nationals from other destinations are also under active consideration. As this is a dynamic and evolving situation, these plans are being reviewed regularly.

“Our two-member solidarity team from Beijing Embassy, comprising officers Junaid and Suleman who had volunteered to go to Wuhan and assist our students under the lockdown there, have now returned to Beijing following the lifting of travel restrictions in Wuhan after 76 days,” added the spokesperson.

“We are immensely proud of them and recognise their commitment and dedication to serve the nation.”