Mr. Junaid Qureshi (EFSAS) speaking on CPEC and Jammu & Kashmir during the 40th Session of UNHRC
14-03-2019, Geneva
Mr. Junaid Qureshi (Director EFSAS) speaking during a Side-event, titled 'CPEC: Economic Development and Human Rights Repercussions', at the 40th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Mr. Junaid Qureshi (EFSAS) speaking during a Side-event at the 40th Session of UNHRC
Mr. Qureshi examined the legal implications of the building of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with regard to the disputed territory of Jammu & Kashmir and in particular the area of Gilgit Baltistan, through which the CPEC passes. Mr. Qureshi argued that notwithstanding legal and international constraints, it has become imperative from China’s perspective that Gilgit Baltistan has a political status within Pakistan in order to legitimise and consolidate its stakes in the CPEC, resulting in Pakistan contemplating on making Gilgit Baltistan a fifth province.
He further pointed out how the Sino-Pak so-called 'all-weather friendship' was once again manifested through the recent Chinese blocking of the listing of Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Masood Azhar as a “global terrorist” at the UNSC Resolution 1267 sanctions committee. He concluded by saying that Pakistan Supreme Court's 17 January 2019 dubious ruling on Gilgit Baltistan remains legally flawed since Gilgit Baltistan is a disputed territory, part of Jammu & Kashmir and therefore the Supreme Court of Pakistan does not have jurisdiction over the region.
