Qureshi leaves for Geneva to attend UNHRC session

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Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi

Islamabad,  Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday left for Geneva where he will take up the Kashmir issue at the 42nd session of UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

While chairing the second meeting of Kashmir Cell in Islamabad last week, the Foreign Minister had said that he would present the issue to the representatives of the world community, reports Geo News.

Qureshi also said he will “shake the global conscience on serious human rights abuses” in Kashmir.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet will open the session on Monday. It will continue for two weeks until September 27.

According to reports, the 42nd session of the Council will tackle a wide range of issues, examining 90 reports presented by 25 rights experts from across the world.

Besides Kashmir, discussions on Myanmar, Yemen, Ukraine, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Central African Republic and Georgia will also be on the agenda.

Tensions have been simmering between India and Pakistan ever since New Delhi on August 5 revoked Article 370 of its Constitution that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and divided it into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

In retaliation, Pakistan has formally suspended its bilateral trade with India with immediate effect and until further orders. Islamabad has also permanently suspended the Samjhauta Express, the Lahore-Delhi ‘Dosti’ bus service, and has also shut down the Thar Link Express, its last remaining train link with India.