Pakistan reiterates its firm support to Kashmir

• Just and fair resolution for Kashmir dispute 
• Pakistan calls for international communities to stand against human violation

By Safna Malik

The current political struggle in Kashmir for freedom flows over past 70 years with military occupation. Pakistan reiterates its firm and continued moral, diplomatic, and political support for the righteous demand of the people of Kashmir for their freedom.

The Pakistan High Commissioner for Sri Lanka Dr. Shahid Ahamad Hashmat said that long-lasting peace in the region can only be achieved through consonance with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka recently organised a seminar to enlighten the international community about the ongoing Kashmir conflict.

The Kashmiri were promised their right to self-determination by the international community, but despite the resolution of this long-standing dispute, the Kashmiri were still facing perverse aggression.

“Several attempts to reform the demographic frame of Jammu and Kashmir have failed. It’s not a territorial issue, it’s a basic fundamental right enshrined in the UN Charter and universally acknowledged,” he said.

Hashmat pointed out that India had occupied Kashmir using indiscriminate military force on civilians by killing, torturing youth, abducting young children, and blinding women and children through non-lethal pellet guns, crossing the limits of brutality. He ensured that Pakistan’s media had not been recording any of these violations. It had been recorded substantially and reported to the UNSC by UN Military Observation Groups, Immensity International, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and other international organisations.

The commissioner further noted that international communities have to take serious action against human rights violation and the suffering of the people of Kashmir and it was the responsibility of the UN. Adding that, he emphasised that SAARC countries could enjoy the fruits of economic progress and development, if the political stability and peace prevailed in the region. Peace in the region would not be achieved until the resolution of this dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Pakistan performs great sacrifice to eliminate terrorism from the nation. Unfortunately regional countries are trying to portray a negative image of Pakistan, which is against the reality. The effort to confuse the just, fair, and legitimate struggle of Kashmiris with terrorism is absolutely incorrect and unjust,” he explained.

“The resolution of the Kashmir dispute is essential for regional peace and development. India must meet its obligations to fulfil the promise made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir by implementing the UNSC resolutions,” Air Commodore Shabbir Ahmad Khan stated at the event.

The retired Air Commodore also expressed his appreciation of the services provided by Sri Lanka. He noted: “Most of the human organs, specifically for eye transplant surgeries in Pakistan, were donated by Sri Lanka.”

During the occasion, veteran Sri Lankan broadcaster and media consultant Mohamed Jamaludeen requested the UN to play its due role in ending the gross human rights violations of innocent protestors and ensure that the UNSC resolutions of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute are in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, adding that: “They’re not terrorists, they’re freedom fighters”.

Pakistan High Commissioner Major Gen. (Retd.) Dr. Shahid Ahmad Hashmat, Major Gen. Udaya Annesly Perera, Air Cmdr. (Retd.) Shabbir Ahmed Khan, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Director (Retd.) Muhamed Jamaludeen, and Journalist/Columnist Ameen Izzadeen, were presented at the event. 

Pix by Ruwan Walpola