President Dr. Arif Alvi says India’s illegal actions to alter the disputed status of Occupied Kashmir and imposition of communication blockade contravene numerous UN resolutions, international law, and basic human rights of the people.

He was talking to President of the Council of States of Swiss Confederation Mr. Jean Rene Fournier in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The President said Kashmir is not an internal affair of India, rather an internationally recognized dispute, pending on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council for 70 years.

He highlighted that the bilateral Simla Agreement that India has been presenting to the world as the sole modus operandi for resolution of bilateral disputes between India and Pakistan has failed to produce any result since 1972. Jean Rene Fournier said Switzerland is a staunch supporter of human rights and will offer its good offices for resolution of Kashmir dispute, if both parties agree. President Dr. Arif Alvi said Pakistan values its long-term partnership with Switzerland in economic, trade and commercial fields.

Appreciating Swiss investment in Pakistan, he underscored that the business friendly policies of the Government are bearing fruit as Pakistan has gained 28 places in the “Ease of Doing Business” index this year. The President urged Swiss companies to invest in the renewable, hydel and clean technology power generation projects in Pakistan.

He highlighted that there are also investment opportunities in research and innovation to increase productivity and profitability in crops, dairy, forestry, irrigation and water management, land management, seed production and biotechnology sectors of Pakistan.

Akram/Mustafa