Pakistan rejects US move against Kashmiri freedom fighter

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday came out in the defence of Kashmiri freedom fighters saying that it was unfortunate to declare those who were fighting for their legitimate right to self-determination as terrorists.

Pakistan rejected the decision of the US State Department to declare Syed Salahuddin, the head of the Hizbul Mujahideen, a global terrorist.

Earlier, hours before President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had their first face-to-face meeting at the Oval Office, the US State Department declared leader of the Kashmiri group, Hizbul Mujahideen, a designated global terrorist.

In a statement issued on Monday, the department imposed sanctions on Syed Salahuddin saying that any “foreign persons who have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of the US nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States may be declared global terrorist.”

Besides the fact that Syed Salahuddin has never threatened the US subjects or interests, and has only been resisting Indian troops in Kashmir and calling for independence, the department’s statement reads, “In September 2016, Salahuddin vowed to block any peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict, threatened to train more Kashmiri suicide bombers, and vowed to turn the Kashmir valley into a graveyard for Indian forces. Under Salahuddin’s tenure, Hizbul Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for several attacks, including the April 2014 explosive attack in Indian-Held Jammu and Kashmir, which injured 17 people.”

India had been lobbying hard at the United Nations to declare Syed Salahuddin a global terrorist, with the latest attempt blocked by China. Identifying him as a terrorist was seen as an attempt to please Indian Prime Minister Modi, who later visited the White House and had a working dinner with President Trump.

President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries, the White House said in a statement.

The two leaders, who held a meeting at the White House on Monday, also “called on all nations to resolve territorial and maritime disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar said it was a matter of great concern that the US administration had started speaking the tone of India, which was not only involved in massive human rights violations in Held Kashmir but also suppressing Kashmiris’ legitimate and just movement for the right to self-determination.

“India is also busy in its efforts to present the Kashmiris’ indigenous movement for their right to self-determination as terrorism, and every principled and living nation should have concern on its atrocious behaviour,” he said in a statement.

The interior minister said the US government’s statement given after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House reflected that the blood of innocent Kashmiris had no importance in the eyes of the United States. He said it seemed that international laws about human rights’ violations were not meant for Indian-Held Kashmir, and these violations and heinous crimes like bloodshed of innocent Kashmiris could be ignored there.

Nisar said deliberate ignorance about involvement of a government in worst state terrorism hurt justice, value and norms as well as international obligations. It also exposed double standards of human and democratic rights’ champions, he added.

Keeping in view the prevailing situation, the minister underlined the need for exhibiting national harmony, courage and unity, giving a clear message to Kashmiri brethren that the government and people of Pakistan would not be oblivious to extending political, diplomatic and moral support to them.

“We will continue to fight the case of Kashmir at every forum of the world and shake the conscience of international community,” he said.

Nisar said there would be no compromise on the legitimate right of the people of Kashmir and support of Pakistan would continue till giving Kashmiris their right in line with resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council to uphold the principle of fair play and justice.

He said getting freedom from Indian subjugation and right to self-determination were the destiny of the people of Kashmir and no world power could deprive the Kashmiris of their legitimate right.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR) has termed the designation of Syed Salahuddin as global terrorist by the US State Department unfortunate and without merit.

President JKCHR Dr Syed Nazir Gilani said that Syed Salahuddin had no interests of any kind or manner in US or in India and the State Department designation should not impact upon his just struggle in the disputed state.

He could not be interfered in supporting the people who have been fighting for their right of self-determination and ending the Indian military repression.

Our correspondent from Muzaffarabad adds: The Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, Raja Farooq Haider Khan, expressed grave concern over the United States’ decision designating Chairman Mutahiddah Jehad Council Syed Salahuddin a global terrorist and urged cancellation of President Donald Trump’s executive order immediately as freedom movement in Indian-Held Kashmir was purely in accordance with the United Nations’ resolutions.

Holding a press conference here at the Prime Minister’s House, the prime minister maintained that State of Jammu and Kashmir was not a part of India and the people of the state were engaged in their peaceful movement for right to self-determination in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.

“Both India and Pakistan had recognised the basic human right of the Kashmiri people; right to self-determination on the august forum of the United Nations and the people of Kashmir were only demanding their legal and universal right, right to self-determination,” he said.

He said Syed Salahuddin is a freedom fighter and the AJK government stands by him.

He said it was India which had been badly involved in the worst human rights violations in Indian-Held Kashmir by enforcing black laws like the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts (AFSPA) since 1992. He called upon the international community to force the Indian government to implement the United Nations resolutions by providing the Kashmiri people a chance to decide their future freely.

The prime minister urged the US Democrats and policymakers to influence President Trump to change his decision of declaring Syed Salahuddin a global terrorist.