Opposition Leader in National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Monday strongly condemned Indian government’s move to abolish Kashmir’s special status as “illegal”, insisting it was an internationally recognised disputed territory.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, he said that the people of occupied Kashmir were being oppressed day and night, adding that the whole nation was united over Kashmir dispute. “This is a matter of Pakistan’s national interest and the entire nation is united on this front,” he said, and claimed that the action by India was an “act of treason” against the United Nations.
Taking a jibe at the Indian prime minister, Shehbaz said that Narendra Modi was involved in the killings of thousands of Muslims in Gujrat, adding that it would be childish to expect resolution of Kashmir dispute from him.
He questioned whether the US President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate Kashmir dispute was a trump card or trap card, adding that this was a test for the international community, including the US president.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the support of the India-held Kashmir (IHK) by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was another defeat to ‘lawbreaker and cruel’ New Delhi.
She took to micro-blogging website Twitter and thanked the OIC for raising voice for the people of the occupied valley, and bringing international attention towards the legitimate, legal and democratic rights of Kashmiris.
“The solidarity expressed by the OIC with the innocent people of Kashmir is a message to the world that immediate and effective measures must be taken to solve the dispute.
“The OIC has testified that Indian army hit civilians with banned cluster ammunition along the Line of Control (LoC). The United Nations (UN), peaceful and civilized nations must take its notice.”
Separately, AJK President Sardar Masood Khan asserted that stripping of special status of IHK had exposed India’s black face before the international community as well as the Kashmiri people.
Reacting over the Indian move, former envoy Abdul Basit said that India’s so-called democracy today exposed its abominable face, and added that Article 370 could not be annulled or abrogated by the parliament of India or the government in New Delhi.
“Article 370 could only be annulled by the Parliament of Kashmir,” the retired Pakistani diplomat said.
“Pakistan has options to challenge the illegal Indian step in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the United Nations’ Security Council (UNSC),” Abdul Basit suggested.
Separately, Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari said it was not enough to condemn India’s move which was “against all international norms and international law along with UNSC resolutions”.
Mazari said that the International Court of Justice should be approached along with the UN Security Council and other international forums and human rights organisations. “This is illegal annexation of a militarily-occupied territory, and completely unacceptable.”
In a post shared on Twitter, former finance minister and PTI leader Asad Umar said that the Indian constitutional amendment was in violation of international resolutions as well as India’s own constitution. “Is India still a constitutional democracy or is [it] now practically under Hindutva raj?” he asked.
PPP leader Sherry Rehman questioned where the international community was in response to the developments in IHK.
PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz said that her rally scheduled to take place in Sargodha today would be dedicated to Kashmir. “Shall not only express solidarity with our Kashmiri brethren but will highlight Indian govt’s atrocities, human rights violations and dictatorial decree of revoking Article 370 & reneging on all international commitments,” she said in a post shared on Twitter.
At a press conference, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq said India through its unilateral actions had violated the Simla Agreement and the UN charter. He urged political parties to unite for the cause of Kashmir despite their political differences. He also expressed the fear that this move by India could “propel the region into war”.
Similarly, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser reiterated support of Pakistan to the people of Kashmir for resolution of the dispute in accordance with the UN Resolutions and aspiration of people of Kashmir. He also condemned the atrocities and worst human rights abuses being committed by the Indian forces on innocent Kashmiri people in IHK.
Talking to Mashal Malik, the wife of Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, who called him at the Parliament House on Monday, Asad Qaiser expressed his concern over the health of Yasin Malik, who had been detained in a death cell of a New Delhi prison.
Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani also condemned abolition of Article 370 of the Indian constitution and said that Modi government’s move was tantamount to destroying regional peace.
