Pakistan summons Indian envoy over situation in Kashmir

Islamabad: Pakistan on Monday summoned the Indian High Commissioner to express serious concerns over the killings of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and many civilians in Kashmir and called for "fair and transparent" inquiry against individuals responsible for "blatant" violation of fundamental rights.

The Foreign Secretary called in Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale "and conveyed Pakistan's serious concerns over the recent killings of Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani and many other civilians in Kashmir by the Indian military and paramilitary forces", a statement said.

He said that the use of excessive force against innocent civilians protesting peacefully over extrajudicial killings, is deplorable and a blatant violation of the Right to Life, Right to Freedom of Expression and Opinion, Right to Peaceful Protest, Right to Peaceful Assembly and other fundamental rights.

The Foreign Secretary also deplored the firing by Indian security forces on peaceful protesters, the statement said.

He highlighted that such brutal use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances, it said.

The Foreign Secretary called for fair and transparent inquiry against individuals responsible for these killings.

It was emphasised that oppressive measures cannot deter the valiant people of the Jammu and Kashmir from their demand of exercising their right to self determination in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions, the statement said.

The Foreign Secretary reiterated Pakistan's call on the Indian government to fulfil its human rights obligations as well as its commitments under the United Nations Security Council Resolutions to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, it said.