ISLAMABAD: Turkish academics and writers at a panel discussion reiterated support for the oppressed people of Kashmir and urged India and the in ternational community to take steps to resolve this long standing dispute in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir and the UN Security Council resolutions.
The panel discussion "Kashmir in Global and Regional Politics" was organized by the leading Turkish think tank South Asia Strategic Research Centre (GASAM) in collaboration with Fatih Sultan Mehmet Foundation University in Istanbul, said a press release received here Friday.
The event was part of observance of the Black Day with a view to highlighting the grave situation in Occupied Kashmir and expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri people facing brutalities for over six decades.
The panelists included Ali Kurt, Secretary General of the Union of NGOs of Islamic World Prof. Selam, Merve Sebnem Oru, journalist and writer Mustafa Uzun, journalist and writer.
Analystand member of GASAM Aslan Balci moderated the panel.
Muhammet Balta Member of Turkish Parliament and Chairman of Turkey Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group in his keynote speech spoke of the oppression and extreme human rights violations occurring in Occupied Kashmir due toexcessive use of force.
He urged resolution of the Kashmir dispute peacefully in accordance with the UN resolutions which could not be implemented so far due to India's rigidity.
He reiterated that Turkey would continue to support all efforts for a peaceful solution of Kashmir dispute.
Pakistan s Ambassador to Turkey Sohail Mahmood highlighted the prevailing situation in IOK and under scored the need for immediately stopping the grave human rights violations.
He noted that besides continuous curfew the occupying authorities had clamped media blackout and denial of access to human rights organizations.
Doctors and medical staff had been harassed while Kashmiri leaders were arrested or placed under detention.