Message by Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Kashmir Solidarity Day (5 February 2023)

Message by Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Kashmir Solidarity Day (5 February 2023)

Every year, on the fifth of February, the people of Pakistan reaffirm their solidarity with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters. On this Kashmir Solidarity Day, we renew our commitment of our unflinching support to them in their just struggle for inalienable right to self-determination.

The Jammu and Kashmir dispute is one of the oldest, unresolved items on the agenda of the United Nations. Over the last seventy-five years, India has continued its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and suppressed its people. Thousands of Kashmiris have sacrificed their lives and suffered countless atrocities at the hands of the Indian Occupation Forces. The already bad situation took a turn for the worst following India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019. These illegal and unilateral steps have been rejected by Pakistan and the Kashmiris.

The human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) remains a source of grave concern to Pakistan and the rest of the world. India has brazenly targeted Kashmiri men, women and children through curfews, blackouts, arbitrary detention, imprisonment, and denial of basic rights. The popular Kashmiri political leadership has been illegally detained or deliberately victimized through fictitious cases. The media has been silenced through coercion and religious scholars have been arrested. Draconian laws have been enacted that deny the fundamental freedoms of the Kashmiri people.

India has also intensified its campaign to bring about demographic changes in IIOJK, so as to convert the Kashmiris into a minority in their own land. These actions are in violation of UNSC resolutions and international law, including the 4th Geneva Convention.

India is mistaken if it believes it can crush the iron will of the Kashmiri people. No amount of state terrorism, unleashed by Indian Occupation Forces, can break the will of the Kashmiris or undermine their legitimate struggle.

We urge India to honour its commitments made to Pakistan, the UN and, above all, to the Kashmiri people.

On behalf of the entire Pakistani nation, I want to assure our Kashmiri brothers and sisters that we stand shoulder to shoulder with them. We will continue to lend moral, diplomatic and political support to their just cause, until they attain freedom from Indian oppression. Pakistan will also continue to raise its voice at all international platforms and highlight India’s barbaric actions in IIOJK.

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Message by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the Occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day( 5 February 2023)

Message by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the Occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day (5 February 2023)

As we observe the Kashmir Solidarity Day, the people of Pakistan salute the sacrifices of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters who have suffered for more than seventy-five years under brutal Indian oppression.

For over seven decades, Indian Occupation Forces have brutalized the Kashmiris and denied them their rights. Today, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is one of the most-militarized zones of the world, with the presence of over 900,000 occupation forces.

With its illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019, India has opened a new chapter in suppressing the people of IIOJK. With fresh delimitation of electoral constituencies, issuance of millions of domicile certificates to non-Kashmiris, and addition of hundreds of thousands of non-Kashmiris in the voters lists, India’s ruling dispensation aims to transform Kashmiris into a disempowered minority in their own land.

Kashmiris are living in a constant state of fear as Indian forces engage in indiscriminate use of force and extra-judicial killings in staged “cordon-and-search” operations. Political activists and human rights defenders face arbitrary detention, torture and confiscation of properties.

India must end its gross human rights violations in IIOJK; reverse its unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August 2019 including demographic changes; repeal draconian laws; allow UN-mandated investigations into cases of extrajudicial killings and; implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.

I want to remind our Kashmiri brothers and sisters that Pakistan will never sit back and watch silently while Kashmiris continue to suffer Indian atrocities. Jammu and Kashmir dispute will remain a key pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy. We will continue to lend unstinted moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people until the realization of their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

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Quaid-e-Azam’s birthday and Christmas celebrated at Embassy of Pakistan, Paris

Embassy of Pakistan

(France)

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PRESS RELEASE

Paris; December 17, 2023

Quaid-e-Azam’s birthday and Christmas celebrated at Embassy of Pakistan in Paris. Large number of Pakistani community members and French guests participated. Children made speeches about interfaith harmony & highlighted Quaid-e-Azam’s leadership in the creation of Pakistan. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad wished Merry Xmas to the Pakistani & Christian community in France. He said that Jesus’ message of love, peace & compassion, and Quaid’s vision of freedom & equal rights were manifest in this celebration. President Alleluia France Association, Mr. Francis Xavier thanked the Embassy for arranging the event & remarked that Christianity’s message of peace & brotherhood brings people of all faiths closer together, thus creating a harmonious society. Guests were treated with traditional Pakistani food and music. National songs and Christmas hymns were presented by artists belonging to the Pakistani diaspora.

 

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Press Release – 20 October 2022

Embassy of Pakistan
Paris
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Press Release
 
 
October 20, 2022
 
 
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar today met Mr. Thierry Pflimlin, President France-Pakistan Business Council; Mr. François Bitouzet, Managing Director VivaTech; delivered a talk at Paris School of International Affairs, Sciences Po University; and met a delegation of Association of Grandes Ecoles and  Campus France. 
 
In her meeting with Mr. Thierry Pflimlin, who is also CEO TOTAL Global Services, trade and economic relations between Pakistan and France as well as investment opportunities in Pakistan came under discussion.
 
During the meeting with Mr. François Bitouzet, MoS discussed developing linkages between startup sectors of both the countries, and participation of Pakistan in next year’s Vivatech event.
 
The talk to the students of Paris School of International Affairs, Sciences Po university was on the topic “Pakistan and the Emerging World Order”, which was followed by a Q&A session. She also exchanged views with the faculty of the university on education cooperation. 
 
At the meeting with the representatives of Campus France and Conference of Grande Écoles, MoS discussed ways to strengthen institutional linkages and exchanges between Pakistan and France in the field of higher education.
 
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Press Release – 18 October 2022

Embassy of Pakistan
Paris
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Press Release
 
October 18, 2022
 
This morning, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar met Diplomatic Adviser to the French President Mr. Emmanuel Bonne at the Élysée. They discussed the current status of Pakistan-France bilateral relations and exchanged views on important regional and global matters.
 
Ms. Khar also met today Mr. Bertrand Walckenaer, Additional Director General, French Development Agency (AFD) at Pakistan Embassy in Paris. She lauded AFD’s contribution in energy, sustainable urban development and climate resilience projects in Pakistan. Future cooperation areas also came under discussion.
 
In the evening, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs held a meeting with Senator Pascal Allizard, President of France-Pakistan Friendship Group in the French Senate and Senator Madam Gisèle Jourda, member of the Group. The meeting was held at the historic building of the French Senate.
 
MoS appreciated the role played by Senator Allizard in furthering bilateral relations between Pakistan and France, especially in terms of parliamentary cooperation.
 
Both sides also discussed political, trade, investment, economic , cultural and education ties between the two countries as well as the situation of floods in Pakistan.
 
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Press Release – 17 October 2022

Embassy of Pakistan 
Paris
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Press Release
 
 
October 17, 2022
 
 
 
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, held meetings today with Mr. Christian Cambon, President Commission for Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces of the French Senate and Mr. Jean-Louis Bourlanges, President Foreign Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly. 
 
The meetings were held at the French Senate and National Assembly respectively.
 
Pakistan- France bilateral relations including parliamentary cooperation, situation of floods in Pakistan, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meetings. 
 
MoS extended an invitation to both the Presidents to visit Pakistan to further strengthen parliamentary contacts and cooperation between the two countries.
 
Earlier in the day, MoS held a roundtable with a group of French intellectuals, members of think tanks and scholars. She shared Pakistan’s perspective on important national, regional and global matters, while discussing in-depth the issues raised by the participants.
 
 
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Help Pakistan – Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund 2022

Pakistan has been ravaged by unprecedented rainfall and severe flooding during this monsoon season. It has received the highest amount of rainfall this year i.e., 170% higher than the previous record. The rains have caused severe flash floods, hill torrents and urban flooding. 33 million people have been affected so far. While the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan have been the most affected, all other provinces and regions of the country have been affected too. 937 persons have died and 1,343 people have been injured so far. Hundreds and thousands of people have been displaced and over half a million homes have been destroyed. Houses, crops, livestock, and communication infrastructure have been severely damaged. Sadly, the number of casualties and injuries are expected to increase. The federal and provincial governments have been carrying out rescue and relief operations tirelessly with support from the Armed Forces and other departments.

However, given the unprecedented size of the calamity, more resources are needed to urgently help flood victims. Please join hands with the Government of Pakistan to help those in need. Your contribution can save lives and human dignity.

Please donate to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund 2022 by transferring funds to account number G 12164 at any Pakistani bank. You can also contribute by SMSing “Fund” to 9999.

To Download IBAN List, Please click on the Link

Details of Prime Minister’s Relief Fund Account, 2022

Visit of Commerce Minister to France

Embassy of Pakistan

(France)

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Press Release

Visit of Commerce Minister to France

Paris; May 25, 2022

Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar said that Pakistan enjoys historic friendly and cooperative relations with France and wishes to strengthen and diversify bilateral trade and economic linkages in the years to come.

He was talking to Mr. Franck Riester, France’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Attractiveness here today. Charge d’Affaires Mr. Muhammad Amjad Aziz Qazi was also present during the meeting. 

The Minister said Pakistan-France trade has witnessed a steady growth in recent years. He emphasized that Pakistan’s strategic location, fast developing infrastructure and liberal investment policies of the government make Pakistan an attractive destination for foreign investors. 

He said since its launch in 2014, the GSP Plus scheme has helped in creating an enabling environment for the implementation of 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environment and good governance in beneficiary countries, besides increasing employment opportunities, especially for women and highlighted its importance for Pakistan’s economy, particularly the export sector.

Syed Naveed Qamar appreciated support of European member states especially France in securing the GSP Plus status in 2014 and hoped that the upcoming GSP Plus 2024 would further strengthen the mutually beneficial trade ties between Pakistan and the EU.

Pakistan wishes to remain constructively engaged with the EU and its member states to further enhance our commercial relations and to cooperate in terms of protection and promotion of social, economic, and other rights of the people of Pakistan, he added. 

He mentioned that Pakistan’s exports to France are dominated by the textile sector, and there is immense potential to diversify trade to other sectors such as agriculture, dairy, clean energy, digital economy and startups. 

Earlier, Commerce Minister met Senator Pascal Allizard, President Pakistan-France Friendship Group in French Senate and discussed matters related to Pakistan-France bilateral relations. He also visited the headquarters of MEDEF International (largest association of French companies) where he was received by Deputy CEO Ms. Géraldine Lemblé. He had a discussion with representatives of French businesses already working in Pakistan or interested in doing business with Pakistan. These included Axens, Bureau Veritas, L’Oréal, Sanofi, Phenixya – Thomson Broadcast, Stellantis , Adit and Sergi France.

Later, the Minister also held an interaction with media persons, and briefed them about the objectives and achievements of his visit. 

The Minister is currently on an official visit to major EU capitals including Brussels, The Hague and Berlin.

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