Kashmiri leaders hail PM’s UN speech

ISLAMABAD: Various Kashmiri leaders and organizations have hailed Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for his speech at the 71st session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by saying that “he boosted the morale of people of Kashmir by highlighting their plight and supporting their right to self determination.”

Lauding the speech, Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani said, “He (Sharif) courageously highlighted the Kashmir issue and proved himself to be a friend and well wisher of Kashmir.”

Geelani, in a statement, said although the UN had not lived up to the expectations of the oppressed and suppressed nation, for which that forum came into existence, but reminding it and its member countries of the long standing and almost forgotten issue of Kashmir, Nawaz Sharif had once again reiterated Pakistan’s stand that unless the core issue of Kashmir was resolved as per its historical perspective and according to the wishes of Kashmir, dance of death and destruction would have no end.

Incarcerated Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin said Pakistan was making all efforts to highlight the plight of suppressed Kashmiris.

He hoped that the UN would implement the suggestions by Nawaz Sharif and play its role in resolving the longstanding dispute.

Malik, according a JKLF statement, appealed to the UN to take strong note of “killings and excesses by forces in Kashmir and impress upon India to end suppression on Kashmiris and forcible control of Kashmir.”

Hailing the speech of Nawaz Sharif at UNGA, the Hurriyat Conference (M) expressed gratitude to Pakistan and its government for “once again pleading the just political cause of the people of J&K before the world body.”

The Hurriyat stressed upon the world body to fulfill its commitments made to the people of J&K through its Security Council resolutions, pending implementation for the past 70 years.

“The suggestions put forth by PM Sharif before the international body for resolving the Kashmir dispute have been the demands of the conglomerate also for long time as they pave the way for a lasting solution and permanent peace in the region,” a spokesman of the Hurriyat, said in a statement.

“Nawaz Sharif very emphatically highlighted the ongoing unrelenting and unprecedented oppression and violence being
perpetuated upon the people of Kashmir by the Indian state and presented a detailed dossier of the grave human rights violations being committed across the state to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.”

Syed Salah ud Din also hailed Nawaz Sharif for effectively presenting Pakistan’s stance on the Kashmir issue at UNGA.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister of Pakistan for his “bold and realistic” speech, Dukhtaran-e- Millat Chairperson Syeda Aasiya Andrabi, in a statement, said they regarded Pakistan’s efforts to internationalize the ongoing Kashmiri movement as a success.

“The speech by Nawaz Sharif at the UNGA is a big step towards the success of our ongoing movement. Despite, India’s false propaganda, Pakistan showed to the world how much they are concerned about Kashmiris,” she added.