Geneva: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi referred to Jammu and Kashmir as an 'Indian state' on Tuesday, reported news agency ANI.
Pakistan had so far, in all its official communication, referred to Jammu and Kashmir as 'India Administered Kashmir.'
Qureshi, who is in Geneva for the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session, asked why India does not allow international media in the 'Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.'
Ever since the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan had been attempting to highlight the issue in International forums.
In a video tweeted by ANI, Qureshi says, “If life has returned to normalcy, then why don't they allow international organisations, the NGOs, civil society to go into the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and see for themselves what the reality is.”
Pakistan on Tuesday demanded an international investigation by the UNHRC into the situation in Kashmir.
Qureshi, leading the Pakistani delegation, said the UNHRC must not remain indifferent to the situation in Kashmir after India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.
He asked the Council to urge India to immediately stop the use of pellet guns, lift the curfew, reverse the clampdown and communications blackout, restore fundamental freedoms and liberties, release political prisoners and fulfil obligations under the UN Security Council Resolutions and various human rights instruments, as required by international law.
He also asked the Council to constitute a commission of inquiry into the situation in Kashmir, as recommended by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
India last month abrogated the provisions of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated it into two Union Territories.
India's move evoked strong reactions from Pakistan with its Prime Minister Imran Khan making provocative anti-India rhetoric, which India dubbed as "irresponsible statements".
Qureshi's statement comes a day after UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet expressed "deep concern" over the impact of restrictions in Kashmir, and asked India to ease the current lockdowns to ensure people's access to basic services.
India will address the UNHRC at 5:45 pm and then both sides will get time later in the evening for rebuttals.
India has always maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral issue and that the abrogation of Article 370 was an internal matter of the country.
(With inputs from PTI)
