Peace & stability in South Asia remain contingent upon peaceful resolution of J&K dispute: Asim Iftikhar Ahmed

PARIS, Oct 28 (SABAH): To express solidarity with the Kashmiris in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Embassy of Pakistan in France organized a Special Seminar marking the Kashmir Black Day.

A large number of people representing Pakistani diaspora, Kashmiris, academicians, journalists, French nationals and other distinguished guests participated in the event that highlighted the seven decades long legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination in accordance with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.

Messages of the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan were read out on the occasion, followed by a documentary focusing on the genesis of the Kashmir dispute and the plight of the Kashmiris living in IIOJK. Prominent speakers condemned the gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law being committed by the Indian occupation forces against innocent Kashmiri men, women and children. They paid homage to the exemplary courage and sacrifice by the Kashmiri people in their quest for freedom from Indian occupation and self-determination.

The speakers also threw light on the legal dimensions of the Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) dispute. They called upon the international community and media to highlight the miseries of the defenceless Kashmiris and to hold India accountable for its atrocities, war crimes and crimes against humanity in IIOJK. While condemning India’s unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August 2019 as blatant violations of UNSC resolutions and international law the speakers demanded that the same must be reversed by the Indian Government. They denounced media blackouts and Indian efforts to alter the demographic composition of the occupied territory by issuance of domicile certificates to non-Kashmiris, introduction of new laws on ownership of land and changing of electoral constituencies in IIOJK with a view to convert the Muslim majority into a minority.

Speaking on the occasion Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that peace and stability in South Asia remain contingent upon peaceful resolution of J&K dispute in accordance with UNSC resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people. He highlighted that 27 October 1947 was one of the darkest days for the Kashmiri people as the Indian occupation of J&K, which began on that day, stifled the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiris to determine their own destiny.

Referring to the French motto of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, the Ambassador said that like Palestine, the J&K dispute could better be explained and understood in the context of shared values of democracy and fundamental freedoms, and universal respect for international law, UN Charter principles and human rights. It was incumbent upon the international community to pressurize India to stop its reign of terror and human rights violation in IIOJK and to let the Kashmiri people decide their own future through the democratic method of fair and impartial plebiscite held under the auspices of the United Nations in accordance with UNSC resolutions on J&K. It was imperative to shun double standards and uphold the cause of peace and justice, he emphasized.

The Ambassador said that the Kashmir case stood on strong political, legal and moral grounds and Pakistan will continue to extend all possible support to the Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the realization of their just cause. The guests also visited a photo exhibition that had been specially arranged to highlight grave human rights situation in the IIOJK.