Barcelona: Voicing serious concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Indian Held territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Ahmed Khan has urged the Spanish parliamentarians and leaders of political parties to play their much needed role to stop India from committing genocide of defenseless people of Kashmir.
The AJK president made these assertions while talking to Spanish parliamentarians, leaders of ruling party and members of opposition parties including Santi Rodriguez Serra, Secretary General of the Popular Party; Juan Bautista Milian Querol, Spokesman of the Foreign Relations Committee of Catalan Parliament; and Ms. Merce Perea, Member of the National Assembly and Spokesperson of the Socialist Party in Spanish Congress, and others.
While apprising the Spanish parliamentarians of the prevailing political and human right situation in held valley Sardar Masood Ahmed Khan said, “Let it be very clear that Kashmiris’ freedom movement is not a secessionist movement, it is all about the right of self determination of the people of Kashmir and the issue of Kashmir has been pending on the UN agenda for last 70 yearsâ€. Referring to the historical background of the dispute he said that UN Security Council through its resolutions has proposed a comprehensive road map to settle the dispute. Accepting the UNSC resolutions he said that both India and Pakistan made a solemn pledge to hold plebiscite in Kashmir. Pakistan he said has always shown its readiness to hold referendum in the region but it was India that has been creating hurdles in the way thereby using oppressive measures to stifle the voice of Kashmiri people.
The AJK president said that a big part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir was under India’s illegal and forcible occupation, which he said was being acknowledged by the world community. He said that Kashmiris over the past 70 years have been fighting against this unlawful occupation of their motherland by India.
The Spanish parliamentarians on the occasion assured the visiting Kashmiri leader that they would raise the voice in favour of Kashmiris through their respective forums saying that the government and parliament of Spain had always adopted a strong stance regarding the protection of human rights across the globe. Ms. Perea said that the prevalent situation was indeed tragic and needed attention of the parliamentarians who cared for universal protection of human rights. She said that the atrocities must come to an end and the international community should play effective role in this regard. The Spanish Government and Parliament, she said, have always taken a strong position on human rights and have supported faithful implementation of the UN conventions, treaties and resolutions.
Meanwhile, the AJK president addressed a function held under the aegis of Europe-Pakistan Friendship Federation. The function was attended by Catalonian parliamentarians, politicians and representatives of Pakistan and Kashmiri community including MPs Susana Beltran Garcia, Sergio Sanz and Fernando Sanchez Costa, as well as Susana Clerici, Secretary Immigration of Popular Party, and others.
The President briefed them about the human rights situation in IOK and Azad Kashmir’s ambitious plans to develop its infrastructure, attain self-sufficiency in energy, promote tourism, stimulate industry and modernise agriculture. He also invited Pakistani and Kashmir entrepreneurs to invest in Azad Kashmir, especially its industrial zone that would be established in Mirpur under the umbrella of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
President Masood Khan also addressed a large gathering of Pakistani and Kashmiri community which was also attended by Secretaries Immigration of leading political parties. He urged the community to use their new found clout in Spain to muster support for the Kashmir in Spain and European Parliament. He said that the liberated territory [AJK] offers a safe, friendly atmosphere and great investment opportunities to the foreign investors.
Later the AJK President Masood Khan also addressed a large gathering of Pakistani and Kashmiri community which was also attended by Secretaries Immigration of leading political parties. He urged the community to use their new found clout in Spain to muster support for the Kashmir in Spain and European Parliament.
Erika Torre Garcia, who spoke on the occasion, said that human rights defenders have vowed to take the issue of Kashmir to the relevant international forums.
