Canberra, November 01, 2019 (PPI-OT): The High Commissioner for Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Babar Amin held meetings with The Hon Kate Doust MLC, President of the Legislative Council, The Hon Peter Watson MLA, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia and The Hon Bill Marmion MLA, Deputy Leader of the Opposition at the Parliament House, West Australia.
The Parliamentary leaders and the High Commissioner exchanged views on bilateral matters and expressed satisfaction at the historically friendly relations between Pakistan and Australia. They hoped improvement in people-to-people contacts, state level cooperation and deepening of trade and educational links. The idea of parliamentary friendship groups at the state level and holding of seminars on various issues of mutual concern were also broached.
The High Commissioner Babar Amin stated that the vibrant Pakistani community in Western Australia was playing an important role in the socio-economic development and bringing together various communities in the State. High Commissioner drew the attention of the leaders towards the grave situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He apprised them about the human rights violations by the security forces and the current humanitarian crisis in the IOJ and K.
The High Commissioner also brought to their attention the recent Reports of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch and Indian civil society regarding the draconian laws and the rampant human rights violations including enforced disappearances in the IOJ and K. The lock down and restrictions imposed on the civilians since August 05, 2019 had converted Kashmir into a large prison under military occupation, affecting around eight million population, he added.
The President of Legislative Council, Speaker Legislative Assembly and the Deputy Leader of Opposition expressed concerns over the human rights violations and humanitarian situation. They expressed sympathy with the affectees and called for the need for redressal of the situation.
For more information, contact:
High Commission for Pakistan, Canberra
Postal Address: P.O Box 7130, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Physical Address: 4 Perth Avenue, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 (Australia)
Tel: +61-2-62731114
Fax: +61-2-62731199
Email: phc@pakistan.org.au
Website: https://www.pakistan.org.au/