PM’s envoy briefs UK MPs on atrocities in IHK

LONDON: Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Kashmir Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, MNA, has said that Pakistan is a peace-loving country and desires peace in the region for stability, well-being and alleviation of poverty of people, but he regretted that India continues to sponsor state terrorism in Pakistan and in Indian Held Kashmir.

According to a message received from London, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh was addressing British parliamentarians, businessmen and representatives of the civil society here on Sunday.Qaiser Sheikh said that recently a serving Indian naval commander was arrested in Pakistan, who was involved in fostering unrest in Pakistan. He said such steps by India clearly show its hegemonic designs in the region.

Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh further said that Pakistan, despite these provocative actions, looked for lasting peace in the region for which the Kashmir dispute needed to be resolved in line with the UN resolutions.

The PM’s Special Representative Qaiser Sheikh said that the Indian government should immediately grant permission to the UNHRC to visit Kashmir valley and enable it to conduct an independent inquiry into human rights abuses in Held Kashmir, including the suppression of their democratic rights. He also demanded the release of human rights activist Khurram Pervez, detained under black law—Public Safety Act.

He said that the Indian government has repeatedly blocked all attempts by the UNHRC to intervene and inquire into allegations of human rights abuses by Indian forces in Kashmir. Qaiser Sheikh said India has disallowed the request by the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights Zeid Ra ad al-Hussein for conducting an inquiry by independent observers in Kashmir stating that it is an internal matter. “We note with serious concern that India’s policy in Kashmir has been marked by a culture of impunity preventing scrutiny by independent international bodies into the actions of forces,” he said.

The PM’s envoy highlighted the gross violation of human rights and international law by India in Indian Held Kashmir and brought to the notice of the British MPs the use of pellet bullets and the loss of eyesight of innocent children.

He further stated that over 110 days have passed and the valley continued to be under curfew, innocent men, women and children have lost their life. When all they are demanding is the implementation of the UN resolutions granting them the right of self-determination.

Qaiser Sheikh condemned the killing of a young boy Javed Mir by Indian forces in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) and said that Javed Mir was the sole breadwinner of his family and was not part of any protest against the Indian occupation. He also raised concerns about the health and treatment of Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik, who is in the custody of Indian authorities. Malik was reportedly transferred to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as his health condition got worse.

MNA Qaiser Sheikh  also had a detailed meeting with the British Law makers and briefed them on the human rights violations by the Indian forces in Indian Held Kashmir (IHK). He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to resolve the issue peacefully. He also urged them to raise the issue of human rights violations in the House of Commons and call upon the UK government to send a fact finding mission of British parliamentarians to IHK.

Talking to him, the British Law makers expressed concerns on human rights violations in the Indian Held Kashmir and said the use of pellet guns by the Indian forces was not acceptable. They also expressed disappointment on India’s reluctance to allow a United Nations fact finding mission to the IHK.

They said the only solution to the conflict was through peaceful dialogue keeping in view the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. They also praised the role of the Kashmiri diaspora for highlighting the just cause of Kashmir in the UK.

The PM’s special representative is visiting the United Kingdom with a purpose to highlight the efforts of Pakistan for a just solution to the Kashmir dispute. He is accompanied by Senator Gen (r) Abdul Qayyum. The Pakistani High Commissioner in London, Pakistani British businessmen, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders, workers and members of the Pakistani community in the UK were also present during the meetings