Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has urged United Nations to act decisively by taking immediate steps to halt India's dangerous policies.

Talking to UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres in New York, he said the United Nations should discourage India from provoking a conflict with Pakistan and avert humanitarian catastrophe and growing dangers to South Asian peace and stability.

Briefing the Secretary General on the grave situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Foreign Minister said eight million Kashmiris continue to be placed under indefinite curfew, lockdown and communications blackout for over 150 days.

The Foreign Minister also briefed the Secretary-General on Pakistan's ongoing efforts to defuse tensions in the region through proactive engagement with Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The Secretary General expressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia and Gulf region through political dialogue, diplomatic solutions and respect for human rights.

The Foreign Minister also met President of the Security Council Dang Dinh Quy and apprised him on the current situation and devastating impact of India's over 5-month long draconian lockdown in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

While rejecting any claims of normalcy as false and duplicitous, the Foreign Minister stressed that the situation in the valley remained critical.

The Foreign Minister underscored that persistent war mongering and aggressive rhetoric from Indian political and military leadership is a threat to regional peace and security with profound risk of miscalculation.

He urged the Security Council to act decisively to prevent a disastrous war between Pakistan and India; to call for an end to the grave human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and to enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination promised to them in the resolutions of the Security Council.

The Foreign Minister also held talks with President of UN General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande in New York.

They discussed a range of issues including recent trends and developments at the global and regional levels.

It was agreed that the United Nations remained an indispensable institution for advancing dialogue, cooperation and pursuing collective solutions to global challenges including poverty alleviation, access to education, agriculture, illicit financial flows, climate change and achievement of 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

The Foreign Minister apprised the UN General Assembly President about the launch of landmark national programs by the Prime Minister such as Ehsaas Program on poverty alleviation and the Sehat Sahulat Program on universal health care.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has emphasized the significance of further strengthening people-to-people and inter-parliamentary linkages between the United States and Pakistan.

Speaking at a ceremony in Capitol Hill, hosted by Pakistan Caucus of United States Congress, he urged the Caucus members to play their due role in this regard.

The Foreign Minister briefed members of Caucus on the latest situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and continuing Indian repression of the Kashmiri people.

On the occasion, the members of Pakistan Caucus appreciated Pakistan's invaluable contributions for regional peace and security.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also met the leadership of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at Capitol Hill.

Both sides shared their perspectives on the U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relationship, the situation in South Asia, the Afghan peace process, and recent developments in the Middle East.

The Foreign Minister said peace and stability in South Asia would remain elusive until the Kashmir dispute was resolved in accordance with international law and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The Committee members appreciated Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process and requested Pakistan’s continued support.

Aman/Iqbal/Khokhar/Karrar