ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Tuesday passed the Youm-e-Istehsaal-e-Kashmir Day Resolution, condemning the move to end the special status of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019, by the Modi regime.
The resolution, moved by the Federal Minister for SAFRON and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan Affairs, Engineer Amir Muqam, rejected the unilateral revocation of Kashmir’s special status. It was adopted unanimously, except for opposition from Mahmood Khan Achakzai of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party.
The house also demanded that India must release Kashmiri political prisoners, provide humanitarian aid, stop ongoing human rights violations, and sincerely implement the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council so that the Kashmiri people can determine their future through a democratic and impartial plebiscite under the United Nations’ auspices.
Minister Engineer Amir Muqam said that the resolution was to be brought to the house on Monday, but due to the death of a member of the assembly, the proceedings were adjourned without addressing the agenda.
The resolution emphasized that Pakistan annually observes the unilateral action taken by India on August 5, 2019, as Youm-e-Istehsaal, or Exploitation Day, highlighting India’s coercion in IIOJK and demonstrating hegemonic designs.
The house expressed solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir in their struggle for the right to self-determination. The Jammu and Kashmir conflict remains one of the unresolved and protracted issues on the agenda of the United Nations, with several resolutions on the Kashmir dispute.
The house reiterated its unwavering moral, political, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination and paid tribute to their courage and bravery. The resolution further stated that the house rejected the unilateral and illegal actions taken by India since August 5, 2019, and expressed deep concern about its continued efforts to change the demographic structure and political landscape of IIOJK.
The resolution stressed that any political process under the Indian constitution could not substitute for the exercise of the right to self-determination by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as defined in the United Nations Security Council resolutions. It also expressed serious concern over the presence of millions of Indian forces, making India’s illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir one of the most militarised regions in the world.
The house condemned the ongoing human rights violations in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and expressed deep concern over the continued imprisonment of thousands of Kashmiri political prisoners. It condemned the impunity with which Indian forces continue to commit human rights violations in the illegally occupied region under laws that deny justice.
Minister Engineer Amir Muqam said the resolution also rejected the irresponsible statements of Indian leaders regarding Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, which were a threat to regional peace and stability. He asserted that the Pakistani nation would not allow any aggressive action to undermine its commitment to supporting the Kashmiris’ indigenous freedom struggle.
Khawaja Asif, speaking on a point of order, reiterated Pakistan’s firm stance on the Kashmir and Palestine issues as per the United Nations resolutions which, he noted, have unfortunately not been implemented due to the influence of some powers. He pointed out that the failure to implement UN resolutions has led to the deaths of 40,000 Palestinians since October and has resulted in wars between countries.
Asif further cautioned that any suggestion or discussion about changing the status of Kashmir would be disastrous for Pakistan’s stance on the issue, given the investments and sacrifices of Pakistanis and Kashmiris across the Line of Control (LoC). He urged that if anyone could not support Pakistan’s stance, they should at least not oppose it. “Our stance on Kashmir has been written with our blood,” he reiterated.
Mahmood Khan Achakzai expressed his opposition to the resolutions due to the lack of an amendment. He argued, “A person cannot be a Kashmiri if they claim that Kashmir is an integral part of Pakistan or India.” He stated that if Kashmiris wanted to join India, they should be allowed to do so, and if they wished to stay with Pakistan, they should be welcomed. He said that Kashmiris also have the right to form an independent state if they so desire.
Achakzai criticised the Speaker, referring to him as a “Havaldar Speaker” for allegedly allowing agencies to tap members calls but not permitting them to speak on the House floor. He expressed his disregard for parliament and its members if they do not raise their voices against injustices faced by political workers and their families.
Without naming the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Achakzai commented that giving a few seats to a certain party would not cause any harm. He highlighted the case of Haji Mumtaz, an MNA who Achakzai claimed had been picked up, and criticised the speaker for not naming the responsible institutions. “He has no right to remain speaker if he cannot name the institutions,” he said. Zartaj Gul raised concerns about the treatment of PTI workers, stating that 10,500 workers were missing. She expressed frustration that no one was responding to the situation in the House.