Pakistan Embassy says Kashmiris’ right to self-determination is being muzzled

Published On: January 10, 2021 09:03 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Jan 10: The Pakistan Embassy in Kathmandu organized a roundtable discussion on Kashmiris’ right to self-determination on January 7. The event was attended by journalists, writers and analysts as well as human rights activists.

Messages of the president, prime minister and the foreign minister of Pakistan on Kashmiris’ right to self-determination were read out. President Arif Alvi said that the current situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is the worst in recent history where people have been deprived of their basic rights, including rights to freedom of expression and assembly as well as the right to self-determination.

In his message, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that for more than 500 days, the Indian occupation forces have been further brutalizing the besieged innocent Kashmiris, brazenly denying their basic rights to communication, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, and above all, freedom to determine their own future. Kashmiris have been deprived of their fundamental rights to life, food and health despite the rampant COVID-19 pandemic, stated PM Khan.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic, India has deprived Kashmiris of their basic rights to life, health and food. FM Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong and steadfast support to the valiant Kashmiris in their just struggle for human dignity and their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Cd`A Adnan Javed Khan traced the genesis of the long-standing dispute and the adoption of UNSC resolutions promising the people of Jammu and Kashmir their right to self-determination. He said that non-implementation of these resolutions had subjected several generations of the people of IIOJK to grave sufferings and jeopardized the peace and stability of the region.

Participants at the event expressed serious concern over the worsening human rights situation in Kashmir resulting from more than 500 days clamp down on millions of people.