The validity of the UN resolutions on Kashmir does not lapse with time rather it has been affirmed by consequent secretary generals of UN on several occasions.
Pakistan’s commitment and fidelity to the cause of Kashmir remain as firm as ever while the bigger powers remain embroiled in their geopolitical and strategic interests. This was stated by Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad chairman at a seminar on ‘Solving the Kashmir Dispute: Exercise of the Right to Self-Determination’ organized by the Institute here on Thursday.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Board of Governors of ISSI, Chairman, in his welcome remarks greeted chief guest, NA Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairperson Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, distinguished panelists and the auspicious audience. He began by reiterating that the international community in general and the people of Pakistan in particular were well aware of the genesis of Kashmir dispute. It was unambiguously decided in all United Nations resolutions that the future of the Kashmiri people will be decided by an impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the UN, which was accepted by India, Pakistan and the international community.
In violation of these resolutions, Indian repression continues to this date with 700,000 military and paramilitary forces being deployed in the region and countless atrocities being carried out against the innocent civilians in Kashmir.
Ghulam Muhammad Safi stated that the issue of Jammu & Kashmir has remained unresolved since the past seven decades. The road map given by UN in 1948 and 1949 for the resolution of this issue comprised of a ceasefire, synchronised withdrawal of troops and an impartial plebiscite to decide the fate of the Kashmiri people which has not been implemented due to the obduracy of the Indian government.
Ms Mushaal Hussein in her speech stated that the people of Jammu & Kashmir who are larger in number than 123 currently independent nations, having a defined historical identity are since decades engaged in a massive, indigenous and non-violent struggle to win their freedom from the foreign occupation if their land.
Mohammad Farooq Rehmani stated that the rise of ‘Hindutva’ in the shape of Modi is a great threat to peaceful co-existence and the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people. We want only freedom and the right of self-determination according to the UNSC resolutions, accepted both by India and Pakistan. He appealed to Pakistan to draw a result-oriented strategy for the resolution of the issue of Jammu & Kashmir.
Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari stated that there were three stakeholders in the Kashmir dispute namely the Kashmiris, Pakistanis and Indians. He highlighted what he termed as the hypocrisy of the international community and noted the international community’s harsh reaction to President Trump’s executive ban order. He questioned why the global community did not take note of the atrocities happening in Kashmir and stated that such an aggressive reaction should also be shown towards this issue.
Khalid Mahmood stated in his concluding remarks that Kashmir belongs to the Kashmiris. It is in the best interests of both Pakistan and India to resolve this issue, if not through bilateralism then other methods mentioned in the UN charter such as arbitration, mediation and judicial decisions.
Other dignitaries of the seminar included, Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Convener APHC; Ms Mushaal Hussein, human rights activist. Mohammad Farooq Rehmani, senior leader APHC and Ahmed Quraishi, CEO Youth Forum for Kashmir.
