Pak condemns 'use of violence' against Kashmiris

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday criticised the 'use of blatant violence' by security forces in Kashmir. In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Qureshi referred to the ongoing situation in Jammu and Kashmir and said the 'violence by Indian security forces' had resulted in the 'loss of scores of innocent lives since June'.

Qureshi's comments came a day after 17 people, including a policeman, were killed and over 70 injured in violence that erupted when mobs torched government properties and a school in Jammu and Kashmir.

The foreign minister "urged India to exercise restraint and, instead of resorting to violence and procrastination, work towards finding a solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant United Nations' resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiris".

Qureshi expressed "Pakistan's unequivocal solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir" and reiterated that Islamabad "will continue to extend its political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their right to self-determination".