ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Kashmiri struggle for right to self determination has taken a new turn with a political resistance movement gaining strength in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad today, he pointed out that six political parties of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have rejected the Indian steps of 5th August last year. He said these political parties have forged an alliance, vowing to wage a joint struggle to revive the old status of the territory.

He said this is not an ordinary occurence but an important development as the joint statement issued by the political parties hold the signatures of Farooq Abdullah and enjoys support of the Congress party which is the main opposition party in India.

He said it is a clear message to Modi government that the Kashmiris have stood up against the illegal steps of 5th August.

The Minister said India undertook the illegal steps to change the demography of the disputed territory and disempower the local population. He, however, said the Indian brutal acts of the last one year including military siege and communication blackout have not shaken the resolve of the Kashmiri people. Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said there is no change in the stance of Saudi Arabia on Kashmir. He said both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are discussing different proposals. He said the OIC has several times passed unambiguous resolutions in support of oppressed Kashmiri people.

The Foreign Minister said China also has been holding a clear stance on Kashmir issue that the dispute should be resolved under the UN resolutions.

Responding to a question about Israel, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Prime Minister Imran Khan has categorically stated Pakistan's stance on the issue, which reflects aspirations of the people of Pakistan.

Answering another question, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said a delegation of Afghan Taliban is in Pakistan for consultations. He said Pakistan's facilitating role on Afghan issue led to a peace agreement between the United States and the Afghan Taliban. He said the next logical step is intra-Afghan dialogue, which should be started at the earliest. He said China has also been supporting the Afghan peace process. He said a large number of people in Afghanistan desire peace and stability in the country. However, he said, there are some spoilers, who want to disturb peace in Afghanistan.

To a question about CPEC, the Foreign Minister said Pakistan and China have been resolutely pursuing the project and the pace of implementation of the project will increase in days to come. He said CPEC will benefit not only these two countries but will also lead to regional connectivity.