MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday urged India to engage in meaningful and decisive negotiations to resolve the Kashmir dispute, reiterating Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people.
Shehbaz Sharif said that for the lasting peace and progress and prosperity of the region and the world, peaceful and just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and the aspiration of the Kashmiri people was imperative.
Addressing the AJK Legislative Assembly on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, the prime minister reiterated that resolution of Kashmir dispute could only be made under the UNSC resolutions and wishes of the people of Kashmir by allowing them to exercise their right to self-determination in a just and impartial manner.
The global community, democracies, institutions and world bodies supported the rights of the people of Palestine and Kashmir, he said, adding, “Two separate standards for democracy and justice and discrimination in the enforcement of the international laws cannot be accepted because such is the requirement of international laws and demands of humanity.”
The prime minister reassured that he would continue raising voice for the Kashmiris as he had vociferously highlighted the issue at the UNGA and OIC and other fora and clearly expressed Pakistan’s stance.
Reminding India, the prime minister said that it should not be oblivious to the fact that with the Draconian laws and unleashing a reign of brutalities and terror, it could not snatch rights of the Kashmiris and dislodge them from their land.
India had already used all kinds of atrocious tactics but could not succeed.
By shedding blood, burning of homes, extrajudicial killings of youth, strangulating children, putting Kashmiri leaders under house arrests and Kashmiri people in jails could not resolve the issue, he added.
He said IIOJK had been turned into the world’s largest jail with huge Indian military presence.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged India to get out of its August 5, 2019 sort of thinking for the interest of peace in the region and implement UNSC resolutions and promises it made with the international community by holding meaningful dialogue.
He said Pakistan had always been an advocate of peace with all its neighbours, in the region and beyond, and it wanted peaceful negotiations under all diplomatic norms for the progress and prosperity of the millions of people living in the region.
The prime minister said the history always called those who shed blood of the people as inhuman and brutal and remembered those who removed pains of humanity, adding mere stockpiling weapons would not end poverty of the people.
He said Indian should realise it as it was an era of knowledge and information.
The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan’s quest for peace was not a sign of weakness rather it was deeply rooted in the teachings of Islam, national heritage and their system.
He said Pakistan as a nuclear state with strong and professional armed forces always stands like a strong bulwark against all aggressions, adding from the creation of Pakistan till now, the country had responded strongly against all aggressions and referred to arrests of Kulbhushan and Abhinandan as reflection of the same.
“For the sake of national interests, we will use all our force and will not desist,” he declared.
The prime minister said former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had conducted nuclear tests on May 28, 1998 to show that they would not compromise on the national interests.
The former Indian prime minister Vajpayee came to Lahore and agreed to resolve all issues including Kashmir which was the only way forward.
The prime minister, reaffirmed solidarity with the Kashmiri people and the government of AJK on Kashmir Solidarity Day, saying, “It is not a day but an occasion to reiterate our resolve and commitment to Kashmir.”
He also paid tribute to Kashmiri shuhada who shed their blood in the last seven decades, and mentioned leaders like Burhan Wani, Syed Ali Geelani, Asiya Andrabi, Yaseen Malik and Mirwaiz Omar Farooq who had contributed in the movement for freedom.
In this movement, they are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their Kashmiri brethren unless they get their freedom and succeed in their efforts, he said, adding with their determination, the Kashmiri people had defeated the Indian forces by bracing all kind of brutalities and shedding their blood.
With each passing moment, their resolve was getting stronger.
India was enhancing its military presence but the movement for freedom was also getting strength with each passing day, he observed.
The prime minister said 240 million Pakistanis, its government, Kashmiris and the UN had not accepted India’s August 5 illegal steps.
Quaid-i-Azam had called Kashmir as a jugular vein of Pakistan. “There are no other words that can define it perfectly,” he added.
The prime minister also assured that the government of Pakistan was committed to equal progress and prosperity of all its areas and would continue supporting AJK with provision of development funds as done in the recent past, adding Danish schools network would be broadened in other areas of AJK.
Speaking on the occasion, AJK Prime Minister Anwarul Haq lauded the moral, diplomatic and political support extended consistently by the government and people of Pakistan for the just cause of Kashmiris.
Kashmiris and the people of Pakistan enjoyed strong bonds and would stand with each other, he added.
He thanked the prime minister for financial support to the AJK government for the development projects.
Earlier, the prime minister arrived on one-day visit to AJK to express solidarity with Kashmiri people on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day.
He laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada and prayed for the eternal peace of the Shuhada.
The prime minister was accompanied by AJK Prime Minister Anwarul Haq and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir.
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir reaffirmed that Pakistan would always stand by the Kashmiris in their just and legitimate cause against state-sponsored repression and oppression.
General Asim Munir visited Muzaffarabad on the eve of Kashmir Solidarity Day and paid homage to the sacrifices of the martyrs. He maintained that Kashmir was and would remain part of Pakistan. “Without any doubt Kashmir will be free one day and part of Pakistan as per the free will and destiny of the people of Kashmir”,” the COAS said.
Upon arrival at the Jammu and Kashmir Monument, he laid floral wreath at the Martyrs’ Monument and offered rich tributes to the unparalleled sacrifices of the Shuhada.
General Asim Munir interacted with the notables and veterans of Kashmir and reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The COAS stated that Indian atrocities and rising Hindutva extremism only strengthens the resolve of Kashmiri people in their struggle for self-determination.
General Asim Munir maintained that they were people of Kashmir themselves and not the occupied who would decide about Kashmir.
Referring to continuing struggle of people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the COAS noted one previous generation had handed over their movement to the next Kashmiri nation. “You the Indian forces can oppress Kashmiri people for today, tomorrow or for a brief period but you cannot remain occupied for long,” he said.
The COAS said the armed forces fought three wars on Kashmir and are ready to fight another 10 wars for the cause. InshAllah!
General Asim Munir while repeating saying of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah said that Kashmir is jugular vein of Pakistan and there is no life if this vein is cut.
He said the Muslims always dominate on the basis of “Eman, Taqwa and spirit of Jehad” and they could not be suppressed on the basis of strength of numbers. “We can face every challenge if we remain united”, he said.
The COAS maintained that the internet facility would be improved in Kashmir and job opportunities would be created for Kashmiri youth in the IT sector.
The notable present on the occasion said that there was vital relation between Pakistan Army and Kashmiris. They noted they could have been facing worst conditions than Palestine if there was no Pakistan Army there.
They said that there could be no better spokesman for Kashmiris than Pakistan. “Your arrival here has raised morale of Kashmiris living on both sides of LoC,” the said.
Paying homage to the martyrs of Kashmir, the COAS also commended the unwavering dedication, professional excellence, and combat readiness of the deployed officers and soldiers in the face of challenging operational conditions in Kashmir.
He lauded their high morale and vigilance, emphasising the importance of maintaining peak operational preparedness to deter and counter any hostile provocations.
The COAS expressed complete confidence in the battle readiness of the Armed Forces, and reaffirmed that no act of aggression would go unanswered and underscored Pakistan Army’s commitment to defend the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity with full resolve. Earlier, upon arrival, COAS was received by the Commander Rawalpindi Corps.