Pakistan raises Kashmir at SAARC COVID-19 meet, demands lifting of 'lockdown in J&K'

Taking a shocking political jibe at SAARC Conference on COVID-19,  Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's special assistant Dr. Zafar Mirza on Sunday, raked up Kashmir while discussing seven countries' efforts to battle epidemic. Mirza expressed his 'concerns' that 19 cases have been detected in Jammu-Kashmir. Demanding India remove 'lockdown in J&K immediately', he said it was imperative in face of emergency. Pakistan Prime Minister was only country leader who did t attend meeting. 

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Pakistan rakes up Kashmir at COVID-19 meet 

"We hope that during this COVID-19 our member countries will provide access to all regions. In this regard, it is a matter of concern that COVID-19 has reported from Jammu and Kashmir. In view of emergency its imperative that all lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir must be lifted immediately, opening up communication and movement," said Mirza.   video conference was led by PM Modi and was attended by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, Maldives President Ibrahim Solih, Sri Lanka president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bhutan Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's assistant - Dr Zafar Mirza.

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Pakistan locks down POK

Incidentally, Pakistan administration has imposed a health emergency across Pakistan Occupied Kashmir on Friday as 'a precautionary measure' in spite of allegedly reporting cases of COVID-19. Pakistan government has anunced that all schools, colleges and universities across PoK will remain shut till April 6 and has installed strict screening mechanism at all 11 entry points. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, tally of Coronavirus cases has risen upto 34, as of date.

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Imran Khan and Kashmir

Imran Khan has repeatedly meddled into Kashmir issue since Indian Parliament abrogated article 370. He has repeatedly fearmongered and peddled fake news on Kashmir's ground situation, in spite of India releasing restoring internet connection and releasing political detainees in a phased manner. He has also faced defeat on an international scale after he called for global mediation into bilateral issue. 

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After facing defeat at UNHRC, UN informal meeting, European Parliament, G7 Summit, Khan also dragged up Kashmir at UN General Assembly meeting. India has all while maintained its stance that abrogation of article 370 is an internal matter while any or disputes regarding Kashmir will be solved bilaterally. His allies China and US too have maintained same.