ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Engr Amir Muqam has appealed to the international community and the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) to play their vital role in solving the long-standing problem of the Kashmir valley in the region.
At a press conference here on Sunday, the minister said that the dispute over Kashmir should be resolved through a United Nations resolution, as there is no peace and development in the region without a solution to this issue.
He said that the incumbent government is effectively highlighting the Kashmir issue on all appropriate platforms of the world. The minister highlighted that from August 5, 2019 till date, around 900 people have been killed, more than 2,500 freedom fighters have been injured and many widows have been arrested by Indian forces in the last five years.
India claims to be the largest democratic state in the world but violates human rights and suppresses Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, he added.
Amir Muqam requested all parliamentary parties to participate in a walk from Radio Pakistan to D Chowk in Islamabad on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir on August 5. On 5 August 2019, he announced the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was abolished by the Modi regime, which will complete five years on 5 August.
He said that every year Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir is also observed this year. Protest marches and demonstrations have been announced in Pakistan and across the world against this illegal move by the Modi government, he said.
Amir Maqam appealed to all parliamentary parties to participate in the walk so that a clear signal could be sent to India that the government and people of Pakistan are united on the Kashmir dispute.
He said India’s actions were aimed at a process of demographic change and political engineering. As a result, he said, the Kashmiri people are facing the danger of becoming a powerless community in their own country.
“India has intensified its crackdown on IIOJK since August 5, 2019. Efforts are underway to silence the media. The real leadership of the Kashmiri people remains behind bars. Indian authorities have sought the death penalty for one of Kashmir’s most renowned leaders, Yaseen Malik,” he said.
He said harassment of innocent people, arbitrary detention, “cordon and search” operations and extrajudicial killings had become routine. Kashmiri people cannot enjoy their freedom of speech and assembly. Most importantly, they are unable to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination, he said.
He said on this ‘Youm-e-Istehsal’, we pay tribute to the courage and valor of the people of IIOJK who have made innumerable sacrifices in their struggle for the realization of their fundamental rights.
The international community must demand an end to India’s gross and widespread human rights violations in the IIOJK, the revocation of its unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August 2019, the repeal of draconian laws; release of political prisoners and implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
Amir Maqam said that Pakistan will continue to play its role in ensuring a free and fair plebiscite in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. “Our strong moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people will continue till the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the authorities of all provinces including Gilgit Baltistan and AJK to observe August 5 Youm-e-Istehsal properly. The minister also briefed the media about the activities planned for Youm-e-Istehsal to be held on August 5, including walks, seminars and awareness events, especially ceremonies planned at Pakistan’s diplomatic missions around the world.
