NEW YORK, Pakistan will never relinquish its \u201cprincipled support\u201d for the Kashmir cause in the face of any pressure, including Indian-sponsored terrorism and threats of use of force, Ambassador Munir Akram said Thursday.<\/p>\n
Addressing a well-attended meeting to commemorate \u201cYoum-e-Istehsal\u201d, the second anniversary of the Indian siege of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Pakistani envoy said Islamabad will continue to support the implementation of the U.N. Security Council resolutions which demand a plebiscite in the disputed territory and the exercise of self-determination by the Kashmiri people,<\/p>\n
Due to the heroism of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan\u2019s efforts, he told the cheering members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora that the Kashmir cause is once again at the top of the international community\u2019s agenda, and the Security Council has considered the situation in the disputed territory three times since 5 August 2019, the day India lockdown the Himalayan state.<\/p>\n
Ambassador Akram added that Prime Minister Imran Khan\u2019s commitment to Kashmir cause was \u201cunquestionable \u201d and that he demonstrated that in his forthright address to the UN General Assembly.<\/p>\n
At the outset, messages of President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi for the occasion were read out.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen India took its unilateral illegal measures of 5 August 2019 \u2013 to lockdown occupied Jammu & Kashmir \u2013 it was the largest imprisonment of an entire people \u2013 8 million of them \u2013 in modern history,\u201d the Pakistani envoy said. \u201cWith 900,000 troops stationed there, it is also the \u201cdensest\u201d occupation in history \u2013 with one Indian soldier to every 8 Kashmiri man, woman and child.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd, today, 730 days after, it is the largest and longest siege of an entire nation\u201d.
\nIn a letter to the UN Security Council and UN Secretary-General, FM Qureshi said India imprisoned the entire Kashmiri political leadership; illegally detained 15,000 Kashmiri youth; tortured thousands of them; extra-judicially killed young boys; put down peaceful protests violently, including by the use of pellet guns; curtailed the freedom of religion and expression; and imposed collective punishments by demolishing and burning entire neighborhoods and villages.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis reign of terror \u2013 this state terrorism \u2013 unleashed on innocent Kashmiris by India\u2019s occupation forces, violate international human rights and humanitarian laws and constitute atrocity crimes and crimes against humanity\u201d<\/p>\n
Ambassador Akram said, \u201cTo coerce Pakistan into compromising its principled support for the legitimate freedom struggle of the Kashmiri people, India has promoted a systematic campaign terrorism against Pakistan, using sponsored proxies from the territory of another neighbouring country. These terrorists\u2019 attacks include the recent bombing in Lahore.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite Indian-sponsored terrorism and threats of use of force, Pakistan will never relinquish its principled support for the legitimate Kashmir cause \u2013 for the implementation of the Security Council resolutions which demand a Plebiscite in Jammu & Kashmir and the exercise of self-determination by the Kashmiri people.,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am convinced that sooner rather than later, India and its leaders will be held to account for their crimes in occupied Kashmir,\u201d the Pakistani envoy said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe world will not forever remain silent on the killing of more than one hundred thousand Kashmiris, the enforced disappearances and torture of thousands of youth; the recorded rape of over 11,000 Kashmiri women; the extra-judicial killing of thousands who lie in unmarked graves; the massive destruction of property, farmlands and livelihoods; the demolition of religious sites \u2013 all crimes that are sought to hidden from the world\u2019s view by the restrictions imposed on the freedom of expression and the press\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile Government of Pakistan will continue to raise the cause of Kashmir on all forums and at every opportunity, I would urge all of you \u2013 members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora \u2013 to continue to join together in raising your voices against the Indian siege of Kashmir and the atrocities and crimes being committed against the Kashmiri people in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people of Jammu & Kashmir have stayed steadfast in their struggle for freedom for over 100 years,\u201d Ambassador Akram pointed out. \u201cHistory testifies that a people who want their freedom so consistently and courageously will always succeed in their struggle,\u201d<\/p>\n
A photographic exhibition, depicting the Kashmiri people\u2019s struggle for freedom from India\u2019s yoke and their sufferings, was organized by Pakistan Mission to the United Nations , New York ,in observance of Youm-e- Istehsal.
\nThe meeting ended with \u201cdua\u201d for an end to the Indian occupation of Kashmir.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NEW YORK, Pakistan will never relinquish its \u201cprincipled support\u201d for the Kashmir cause in the face of any pressure, including Indian-sponsored terrorism and threats of use of force, Ambassador Munir Akram said Thursday. Addressing a well-attended meeting to commemorate \u201cYoum-e-Istehsal\u201d, the second anniversary of the […]<\/p>\n
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