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World trusts India on Kashmir, not us: Pakistan minister Ijaz Ahmed Shah

Shah also blamed Pakistan's "ruling elite" including Imran Khan for "destroying" the image of the country

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A few vendors sell fruits at Jehangir Chowk in Srinagar on Thursday
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In a major embarrassment for Pakistan and its Prime Minister Imran Khan, the country's Interior Minister Ijaz Ahmed Shah, a retired brigadier, said the international community didn't believe Pakistan's narrative on Kashmir; instead it is India whose version is trusted.

Speaking on Wednesday on a Pakistani news channel, Shah also blamed Pakistan's "ruling elite" including Imran Khan for "destroying" the image of the country.

"People do not believe us... in the international community. We say they (India) imposed curfew in Kashmir, they are not giving medicines to people, people are being beaten, there is no food for the people, but nobody believes us. They trust India. The ruling elite has destroyed the country and its name. We lost it. People believe that we are not a responsible nation," he said.

Asked who he was referring to specifically, he said, "It is not one person's role. Everyone has played a role. Pakistan should now do a soul-searching."

Shah's remarks came a day after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi criticised India at the United Nations Human Right Council session in Geneva on Tuesday for repealing Article 370 in Kashmir.

External affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "At the UNHRC... we responded to Pakistan's lies and distorted statement."

"Pakistan's attempt to polarise and politicise the situation has been rejected," Raveesh Kumar said, while speaking at a media briefing here. "The global community is aware of Pakistan's role in aiding, abetting and supporting terrorism infrastructure in their country."

"Quite audacious on part of Pakistan, which is the epicentre of terrorism, to pretend to speak on behalf of the global community on human rights. This is very rich. They need to understand repeating a lie doesn't turn it into gospel truth, which came out clearly during the session," he said.

He added that India has explained its position on Article 370 and how "this is being done within the framework of the Indian Constitution and how these changes are necessary for development and prosperity of the state".

Kumar also rejected all "motivated" stories in the international press, outlining how there is no shortage of medicines in J&K.

He said that normalcy was returning to Jammu and Kashmir and that 95% of healthcare professionals were back on duty and banking facilities were operating normally. According to Kumar, 92% of J&K has no restrictions.

With inputs from agencies

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