News
Kashmir is about right to self-determination of Kashmiri people: Sartaj
Adviser points out worst form of torture, oppression by Indian forces in disputed state
INP
NEW YORK – Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has emphasised that Jammu Kashmir is not a territorial dispute between Pakistan and India but it is primarily about the exercise of the right to self-determination by Kashmiri people, as promised to them in the UN Security Council resolutions and the assurances of Indian leadership.
Sartaj who is visiting New York for the 69th session of the UN General Assembly, participated in a sideline meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu Kashmir here at the UN headquarters in New York. The meeting was chaired by OIC Secretary General Iyad Ameen Manani. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Saudi envoy Mohammad Tayyab attended the meeting on behalf of their countries.
The adviser said that the fundamental right to self-determination was denied to Kashmiri people despite passing of more than six decades. During this period, the Indian armed forces had unleashed the worst form of torture and oppression, but the valiant people of the disputed state had neither abandoned hope nor given up their legitimate struggle for the self-determination.
He pointed out that Cathy Scott-Clark report had confirmed over 6,000 unmarked graves in the Indian-held Jammu Kashmir. The recent discovery of mass graves at 38 sites in North Kashmir had added new dimension to this gory saga, he said. Besides OIC, the UN, European Union and human rights organisations had voiced concern over the systematic rights violations but the Indian forces had shown little regard for the universal opinion, he said.
Sartaj urged the international community to take meaningful steps to put an end to the ordeal of the Kashmiri people and to call upon India to stop violations of their fundamental human rights. He reiterated that Pakistan wanted a peaceful resolution of the core issue in the best interest of peace and stability in the region. Pakistan had sincerely embarked on a composite dialogue process with India, he said. India’s decision to call-off the August 25 secretary-level talks with Pakistan on a flimsy pretext was a setback to the negotiations process, he added.
APPEAL TO OIC FOR RELIEF – Speaking of the recent devastating floods in Kashmir, the adviser expressed concern over the reports of selectivity in distribution of relief assistance by Indian authorities. He appealed to OIC to provide relief assistance to the flood affected people on both sides of the Line of Control, and conveyed Pakistan’s readiness to facilitate its delivery among the victims without discrimination.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk