MISSISSAUGA: A Pakistani-origin journalist based in Canada has claimed that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, was in constant touch with him while preparing the controversial report on Kashmir which was rejected by India.

Zafar Bangash is an Islamic movement journalist based in Toronto and an Imam at the Islamic Society of York Region's Mosque.

While speaking at a conference on Kashmir in Mississauga, Bangesh said, "I can say it to you, and I say it with all humility, but with great pride, that we, 'The Friends of Kashmir', also have a role in the production of this report. In fact, I had personal correspondence with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, e-mail correspondence in which he responded to my personal letter and e-mail saying that he would like to have access to both sides of Line of Control."

Bangash then admitted to lobbying with officials in Islamabad for facilitating a vist of the UN high Commissioner and his representatives to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

"I responded to him (Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein) after speaking to the Foreign Office spokesperson in Pakistan, Mr. Nafees Zakaria, who used to be the Consul General in Toronto and he assured that Pakistan would welcome the UN High Commissioner and their representatives," he said.

The event was also attended by President of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) Sardar Masood Khan.

On June 14, the UN released its first ever human rights report on Kashmir accusing security forces of gross human rights violations on both sides of the border.

The report demanded Pakistan stop using its anti-terror legislation to crack down on activists. On the other hand, it accused India of using excessive force on civilians.

India has called the report "fallacious, tendentious and motivated" and a "compilation of unverified information". India also registered a strong protest with the United Nations on this report.