ISLAMABAD, AUG 27 (DNA) -Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a telephonic conversation with Foreign Minister Didier Reynders of Belgium today to brief him on the current situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The Foreign Minister highlighted the illegal and unilateral steps taken by the Indian Government to change the disputed status of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and its demographic structure. He added that these steps were in contravention of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and the International Law.

Foreign Minister Qureshi underscored that India has progressively reneged on its commitments to the Security Council, other states, Pakistan and the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

The Foreign Minister underlined that the actions taken by India entailed grave risk for peace and security in the region. He highlighted the severe hardships faced by the people of the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir in the face of unprecedented lockdown of the entire population.

The Foreign Minister apprised him on the worsening situation of basic human rights, safety and security of the people in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which has been under curfew since 05 August 2019.

Foreign Minister Reynders expressed concern on the human rights situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that further escalation would have severe impact on the peace and security in the region. He reaffirmed his readiness to remain engaged with a view to playing a facilitative role.

The two leaders agreed to continue to work together for peace and stability in the region.