SM Naqvi
Muzaffarabad: President Mamnoon Hussain reiterated Pakistan’s political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir struggling for their right to self determination.
Talking to an APHC- AJK Chapter delegation here on Sunday, President termed the Kashmir struggle as legitimate and in line with the charter of United Nations and said Pakistan want to resolve this issue through peaceful means.
Urging global community to exert pressure on India to hold plebiscite in Kashmir in accordance with UN Security Council’s resolutions, he said atrocities in the held territory by Indian forces are a challenge for international human rights system.
Regretting that United Nations had failed to resolve Kashmir issue pending on its agenda for last six decades, the president demanded to UN to implement its resolutions for the settlement of Kashmir issue in view of the fast deteriorating situation in IHK and for the sake of peace in the region.
Mr. Hussain also stressed the OIC countries to shun their differences and direct all their energies for settlement of lingering issues of Palestine and Kashmir. Lauding the efforts of Parliamentary delegation sent by Prime Minister Sharif to different countries for highlighting Kashmir issue in its true perspective the President said the delegation effectively exposed the Indian atrocities and human rights abuses in IHK.
President Hussain assured that he would direct the foreign office to give regular briefing to foreign diplomats on Kashmir to accelerate the efforts of highlighting Kashmir issue more aggressively. He also asked the foreign office to inform the international human rights organizations regarding provision of food and medicines to the people of IHK who have been besieged in the held valley for the past three months. He said there was acute shortage of food and medicines in the held valley due to constant curfew. He also urged the overseas Kashmiris to play their role on highlighting Kashmir issue in their respective countries.
The leaders of APHC commended the address of the President to the joint session of AJK legislative assembly and Kashmir Council and said it reflected the stance of the people of IHK. The President’s three days visit to Muzaffarabad would have a positive impact on the ongoing Kashmir liberation struggle, they added. The leaders also expressed gratitude to government of Pakistan for supporting the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
President Sardar Masood Khan and Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan were also present on the occasion.
Â
