Pakistani PM's envoys on Kashmir visit Anadolu Agency

ANKARA

Pakistani prime minister’s special envoys on Kashmir visited Anadolu Agency's headquarters in Ankara on Monday.

Mohsin Shah Nawaz Ranja and Pervaiz Malik, who are also Pakistani parliamentarians, discussed the Kashmir issue, especially the situation in Indian-held part of the valley with Anadolu Agency Deputy Director General Metin Mutanoglu.

Speaking during the meeting, Malik said Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had asked them to explain the situation in Kashmir to the outside world.

"We have a sincere and heartfelt ties with Turkey. We know our pain is felt here too," he said. "People of Kashmir are in great pain. Lots of people lost their lives [and] health there [in Indian-held part of the valley]."

Ranja said thousands of Kashmiri people were being killed and women raped by Indian soldiers in the disputed valley.

Mutanoglu said the United Nations' legitimacy "is being questioned" because it had failed to find a solution to the ongoing Syria conflict during the last five years.

"The UN can solve the Kashmir issue. We are waiting for the UN to put in an effort," he said.

The deputy director general also briefed the Pakistani visitors about Anadolu Agency's international structure and functions. He also presented them with books on the July 15 coup bid in Turkey and the "Istanbul Photo Awards", the agency's international news photo contest.

Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full.

The two countries have fought three wars – in 1948, 1965 and 1971 – since they were partitioned in 1947, two of which were fought over Kashmir.

Since 1989, Kashmiri resistance groups in Indian-held Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for its independence or for its unification with neighboring Pakistan.

More than 70,000 people have reportedly been killed in the conflict so far, most of them by the Indian Armed forces. India maintains more than half a million troops in the disputed regions.