MIRPUR: (Khizar hyat Abbasi)Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Masood Khan has praised the role of All Parties Parliamentary Kashmir Group (APPKG) in UK Parliament for highlighting Kashmiri peoples’ right to self- determination.
Addressing a public gathering at a local hotel here on Saturday he informed that APPKG delegation have visited AJK to assess the situation on ground. Their visit to Chakothi Crossing Point near Line of Control (LoC) and refugee camps have helped them give a factual view of the situation. Member European Parliament Anthea McIntyre, who was also a part of the delegation will be organising an international conference in Brussels and is also steering a report on the human rights violations taking place in IOK, Khan added. Referring to the report the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OCHCR) he said that it has clearly said that the Kashmir issue is not a bilateral between India and Pakistan rather it is question of 15 million people of Kashmir who will have to exercise their political will for the resolution of the conflict. The report, he said also recommended the repeal of the black laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Public Safety Act (PSA) that are being used to provide shield to the Indian occupation forces to act with impunity.
Dismissing the Indian allegations of terrorism in Indian Occupied Kashmir, President Masood said Kashmiri people’s struggle is indigenous, legitimate and in line with international norms. He said people of Jammu and Kashmir want a peaceful resolution of the issue while India is using state power to suppress and stifle their voice for freedom The AJK President also commended the role of the diaspora community in creating awareness on Kashmir and said it was a matter of pride that 12 MPs of Kashmiri-Pakistani origin are a part of the British Parliament which has helped encourages debate on Kashmir.
Lord Qurban Hussain in his address shed the light on the report being prepared by the All-Parties Parliamentary Kashmir Group that will be presented in the parliament soon.
