ISLAMABAD: A nine-member delegation from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) called on Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday.
The delegation briefed Aziz about the grave human rights situation in India-held Kashmir and expressed concern over the Indian forces’ policy in the region, manifested in the continued bloodshed of Kashmiris with impunity.
The delegation underscored that the indigenous movement of Kashmiris for their right to self-determination has entered an important phase since the martyrdom of Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016.
Aziz, during the meeting, reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir remains the core dispute between India and Pakistan. “The Kashmir issue’s resolution is imperative for peace in South Asia,” he said.
Since July last year, over 200 Kashmiris have died, many in extra-judicial killings and fake encounters, the delegation told Aziz.
It recounted that around 8,000 individuals have been affected by pellet guns, with more than 250 youth blinded either fully or partially and another 930 on the verge of losing their eye sight. Further, 697 women have reported molestation by Indian forces. Over 19,000 Kashmiris in all have been injured and around 18,000 arrested arbitrarily with their fate unknown.
Over 65,000 houses and structures have been destroyed. The Kashmiri leaders remain in detention in inhuman conditions and some of them are facing serious health issues.
They informed Aziz that India was using chemicals in ammunition on peaceful protesters. This was confirmed by the charred and unrecognisable bodies of Kashmiris.
The delegation highlighted the negative impact of the Indian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Public Safety Act (PSA) and requested Pakistan to continue to insist on the international community’s intervention.
Aziz reassured the delegation that people and the government of Pakistan stand behind Kashmir in extending political, diplomatic and moral support to their just struggle.
“Pakistan continues to pursue its principled position on the issue and extends its steadfast support to the Kashmiris in their just struggle, as Kashmir cause remains close to the hearts of every Pakistani,” he added.
Aziz underlined that the international community has rejected Indian attempts to equate the indigenous self-determination movement of Kashmiris with terrorism.
The delegation also condemned India’s deliberate targeting of Kashmiris at the Line of Control, which resulted in the death of a number of civilians.
