Islamabad, In a solemn address on Friday, the Foreign Office of Pakistan illuminated the relentless hardships endured by families in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), revealing that over 22,000 women have been widowed and 107,000 children orphaned due to ongoing conflicts and occupation.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch detailed the continuous suffering inflicted upon the Kashmiri people during her weekly press briefing. The briefing highlighted the devastating impact of the Indian military presence in the region, characterized by aggressive policies and actions that have severely affected civilian lives, splitting families and decimating local communities.

Baloch underscored the dire situation of “half-widows” women whose husbands are missing and presumed dead due to the conflict. She noted the distressing uncertainty these families face, with thousands of women and children left without support. “The plight of families victim to enforced disappearances is particularly grievous, left in limbo over the fate of their loved ones,” Baloch added.

During the briefing, Baloch also referenced the International Day of Families, observed on May 15, to draw further attention to the ongoing crisis in IIOJK and its severe implications on family structures and welfare. She called upon India to uphold the rights of Kashmiris, specifically their right to self-determination as recognized by United Nations Security Council resolutions, to alleviate their sufferings.

In addition to the crisis in Kashmir, the spokesperson discussed Pakistan’s recent diplomatic engagements, notably the Fifth Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue. This dialogue, co-chaired by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, aimed to reinforce bilateral ties and collaborative peace efforts in the region. The discussions also included interactions with Chinese top officials, focusing on shared objectives for regional stability and economic cooperation.

The Foreign Office’s report sheds light on the enduring challenges faced by the Kashmiri population under Indian control and emphasizes Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to address these human rights issues on an international platform.