Nisar Ahmed Thokar
Islamabad: Expressing his serious concern over the worsening political and human rights situation in Indian held territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the president of Azad Kashmir Sardar Masood Ahmed Khan has said that the United Kingdom (UK) being a permanent member of the UN Security Council can play a significant role in resolving the long pending dispute peacefully.
The AJK president made these assertions while addressing a crowded press conference here on Thursday. Flanked by a delegation of British parliamentarians included Mr. Andrew Guwany, Wajid Khan Member, Asim Rashid and Raja Najabat Hussain, President Masood Ahmed Khan said, “Britain is a very important country in the world and a permanent member of the UN Security Councilâ€. The country he said can play a vital role to seek a settlement of Kashmir dispute by using the UN platform. As a permanent member of the Security Council, he said, the United Kingdom should take a lead in sensitizing the other members and mobilize them on the deteriorating peace and security situation in Jammu & Kashmir and South Asia.
Regarding the current diplomatic impasse between India and Pakistan, Khan observed that India has closed down all doors to dialogue with Pakistan. “Neither it [India] talks to Pakistan nor Kashmirisâ€, he said adding that in such a hostile situation the responsibilities of the international community particularly the United Nations have increased manifold.
Citing the human rights situation in Kashmir he said that on one hand Indian troops have been snatching eye-sight of Kashmiris by showering bullets and pellets while on the other Indian secret agencies have launched a massive crackdown and vilification campaign against pro-freedom leaders just to tarnish their public image besides denting the indigenous character of their legitimate struggle. “Base allegations and accusations are being leveled against Hurriyat leaders to defame themâ€, he said adding systematic persecution of the political workers in “IOK†will not extinguish the Kashmir movement despite India’s malicious designs. The President demanded that India must immediately stop what he called as “witch hunt” and stop incarceration of peaceful political workers on trumped up charges.
The sole purpose of this well thought out smear campaign he said was to suppress the Kashmiris’ freedom struggle. He however observed that despite unleashing reign of terror in the region India has miserably failed to stifle the voice freedom in Kashmir.
India, he said was involved in gross human rights violations in Kashmir and that is the reason that they don’t allow UK and EU parliamentarians to visit the valley. He appealed the international community to discard double standards and redouble its efforts to stop the carnage, rape, torture and crimes against humanity in “IOKâ€.
The President further maintained that the House of Commons and EU Parliament must develop a bipartisan stance on the HR violations in IOK and the realization of the right to self determination in Jammu & Kashmir
Regarding the incumbent chief minister Mehbooba Mufti’s role he said, “Puppet chief minister’s role has reduced to a mere facilitator of Indian army that has been grossly involved in murdering Kashmiris and snatching their visionâ€. Regarding Mehbooba Mufti’s suggestion of holding a joint session of the legislative bodies of Azad Kashmir and Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan said that before venturing into the business she [Mehboob] must seek approval from New Delhi. He, however, stated that Kashmiris must sit and talk to each other but before that it was incumbent upon Ms Mufti to stop atrocities being inflicted upon the innocent people of Kashmir besides creating conducive atmosphere for the talks. “If Mehbooba can’t do that she must resign and join the ranks of pro-freedom campâ€, he added.
Replying to a query Masood Khan said that there was consistency in Pakistan’s policy on Kashmir. As a result of this policy he said that Pakistan was facing multiple challenges.
About AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan’s recent statement he said that the PM has clarified his stance on the issue and made it abundantly clear that accession to Pakistan was the part of Kashmiris political faith. He said that Raja Farooq Haider Khan is the honourable prime minister of the region and therefore he should be honoured by all and sundry.
Speaking on the occasion the British parliamentarian Andrew Guwany, said that massive human rights violations were taking place in Kashmir. He said that Kashmiris have been deprived of their fundamental rights over the past 70 years. The continuous denial of basic rights to the people of Kashmir he said was a travesty of justice. He said that India was observing its 70th independence day but it was quite unfortunate that the country who claims to be the world’s largest democracy has deprived the people of Kashmir of their democratic rights. Mr. Andrew said that British parliamentarians would play their due role in raising the voice in favour of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. Terming the atrocities against the innocent Kashmiris as horrific violations of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, he said the international community to be more vocal and vowed to raise the issue at all forums.
Addressing the press conference Raja Najabat Hussain Khan said that world community must shun its policy of indifference and double standard on Kashmir and play its much needed role to stop blood bath of Kashmiris. The international community’s silence over the miseries of Kashmiri people he said was a criminal negligence.