Altaf Hamid Rao.
MIRPUR (AJK): The Kashmir-origin member of the British Parliament Ms. Naz Shah has called for early grant of right of self determination to the people of Jammu & Kashmir to decide about their destiny in line with the spirit of the internationally-acknowledged norms and commitments to pave the way for early peaceful solution of Kashmir issue. – which she added is the key to emergence of everlasting peace in South Asia in general and the world-over in particular.
Naz, the law-maker in the lower house – House of Commons, belonging to the opposition Labour Party from Bradford expressed these views while speaking at a reception hosted in her honour – besides other members of the seven-member British Parliamentary delegation, by Dr. Amin Chaudhry, Chairman Professional Board of PML (N) AJK and Chairma Jinnah Foundation Jammu & Kashmir here Monday night.
AJK minister for Sports, culture and MDA Ch. Muhammad Saeed chaired the ceremony which was also addressed among others by the chair, Kashmir-born Councilor from Bradford City Council Chaudhry. Arshad Hussain, Director General MDA Ch. Ejaz Raza, senior Kashmiri journalist Altaf Hamid Rao and the host Dr. Amin Chaudhry who called for the performance of more vibrant role of the UK-based Kashmiri Diaspora to seek early settlement of Kashmir issue.
Pertinently, the seven-member British Delegation is currently on a visit of Azad Jammu & Kashmir on the invitation of the President of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan.
Naz Shah urged that the legitimate right of the people of Jammu & Kashmir was already acknowledged by the international community through the resolutions of the United Nations – which spoke of the grant of right to the people of the Himalayan state to decide about their future through a free and fair plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations Organization, they recalled.
Expressing grave concern over the continued human rights abuses in Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir the British MP emphasized for the immediate grant of justice to the people of occupied Jammu & Kashmir. She said that 70-year-old Kashmir issue should be settled through just and principled manner in line with the wishes of the basic stake-holders – the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Describing Kashmir as one of the unresolved major global issues of human rights issue, the British MP said that since Kashmir issue was virtually becoming threat to the regional and rather global peace, it should be immediately resolved according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
The British Parliament member said that since U.N resolutions on Kashmir also provide a clear opportunity for the resolution of this issue, Britain including the like-minded members of the British parliament sought the early settlement of the Kashmir issue according to the will of Jammu Kashmir people.
Speakers said that by acknowledging Kashmir issue as threat to the regional and global peace, the international community including Britain should render their moral obligations to seek early peaceful solution of this much delayed dispute through a composite dialogue between India and Pakistan through the involvement of the recognized leadership of Jammu Kashmir people from both sides of the Line of Control.
Speakers lauded the role of the British Kashmiris for performing an affective role in the British politics including in both houses of the British Parliament for raising the global issues including Kashmir.
Expressing strong reaction over the increased human rights abuses in Indian held Kashmir valley, speakers sought immediate intervention of the international organizations of human rights for getting the Indian state terrorism abandoned in occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
They underlined that despite the continued coercive tactics by the Indian occupational forces in occupied Jammu and Kashmir the valiant Kashmiris have totally rejected the forced Indian rule over their motherland and they were fully determined to get liberation from the Indian slavery. India can not keep Jammu & Kashmir in her unlawful and forcible rule through aggressive means for a more long timeâ€, they warned.
