Kashmir remains unresolved at UN, says Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has admitted that Islamabad faces a "difficult task" in getting the Kashmir issue "at the center" of the UN agenda. Zardari also fumbled as he continued to refer to India, first describing it as "our friend" before using the term "neighboring" country. "You are also right to note that we are facing a particularly difficult task of trying to bring Kashmir to the center of the UN agenda," Zardari told a press conference here on Friday in response to a question that drew parallels between the situation in Palestine and Kashmir.

Pakistan has been addressing the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at every forum and platform of the UN, regardless of the topic or agenda under discussion. However, it is unable to garner any support or backing for its agenda from the wider UN membership, which views Kashmir as a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan.

"And whenever the issue of Kashmir comes up, our friends inside, with...our friend...our...our...neighboring countries, they protest strongly, object loudly and maintain a post-facto narrative where they try to claim that it is not a dispute for the UN that this is not disputed territory recognized by the international community," said the 34-year-old Pakistani foreign minister.

Tensions between India and Pakistan rose after New Delhi abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution on 5 August 2019 and revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. India has categorically told the international community that the abrogation of Article 370 is an internal matter. He also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda. India has told Pakistan that it wants normal neighborly relations with Islamabad in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence.

Zardari said, "Although it is difficult for us to reveal the truth, we are persistent in our efforts," adding that he tries to mention both situations at every opportunity, be it at the UN Security Council or other events. the people of Palestine and Kashmir. “I think your parallel is very valid. There are many similarities between the plight of the people of Kashmir and the plight of the people of Palestine. I think it is fair to say that both issues remain unresolved at the UN and we would like to see a special focus not only on Palestine but also on Kashmir,” he added.

Here, Zardari addressed the media on the outcome of the Women in Islam conference and the first day of Islamophobia commemoration, on the sidelines of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).