‘Right to self-rule only solution to Kashmir issue’

LAHORE

Punjab Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Minister Khalil Tahir Sandhu has said the only resolution to Kashmir dispute is to give right to self-determination to people of Indian Occupied Kashmir. 

The Punjab government fully supports all the efforts being made by national and international human activist organisations with its principle stance, appealing international community to stop non-stake actors from their brutalities afflicted on unarmed Kashmiris.

He stated this during a meeting with the delegation of a London based Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR) led by its president Dr Syed Nazir Gilani on Monday. President JKCHR Spain Chapter Zahid Hussain Syed, regional office-bearer Mudassar Butt, Secretary Punjab Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department Asim Iqbal, Additional Secretary Shabir Bhatti along with other high officials of the department were present. 

Dr Syed Nazir Gilani informed the meeting regarding the atrocities of Indian forces in Occupied Kashmir and said Kashmiris are being killed, tortured, raped and persecuted in their own land on daily basis. 

However, they reaffirm their conviction that India would never succeed in suppressing their movement of freedom and overwhelmed affiliation with Pakistan, he added. Dr Gilani said JKCHR was the only NGO from the three administrations of Jammu and Kashmir on either side of ceasefire line which is in Special Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of United Nations. Punjab has more awareness regarding Kashmir issue compared with other provinces of the country, he said. Khalil Tahir Sandhu appreciated the efforts of the organisation for protection and promotion of human rights of Kashmiris and said Pakistan has made effective diplomatic efforts for resolution of Kashmir issue and the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has always committed to support people of Kashmir on moral and ethical grounds.

Sandhu apprised the delegation: “We have built common consensus at national level for vibrant and comprehensive diplomacy at global level to seek international support for the right of self determination and assert Pakistan's principle stand on Kashmir as it is not dispute on a piece of territory but a question of human rights and dignity of people of Kashmir”. The minister directed the Punjab Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department to draft a comprehensive report in line with the suggestions and recommendations of JKCHR to be represented to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for formulation of a more effective and result oriented roadmap to speed up the lobbying at global level for the cause of Kashmiri people.