Pakistan to appeal UN for Kashmir observers

Islamabad to urge UNHRC to dig out facts of Indian atrocities


Sardar Sikander July 23, 2016
Islamabad to urge UNHRC to dig out facts of Indian atrocities. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to approach the United Nations to send its observers on a fact-finding mission to Indian Kashmir for investigating the “slaughter” of innocent civilians.

Almost 50 people have been killed and thousands injured at the hands of Indian forces in two weeks of protests triggered by the murder of popular Kashmiri youth leader Burhan Wani.

Islamabad rejects New Delhi’s claim on Kashmir

At a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Friday, the civilian and military leadership decided to move the UN’s Human Rights Council to dig out facts of Indian atrocities in the disputed Himalayan valley.

The all-important huddle of the National Security Committee (NSC) was presided over by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The civilian and military leadership unanimously called upon the international community to condemn blatant human rights violations by Indian security forces and to play its role in protecting human rights of the Kashmiri people by holding a plebiscite under the UN Security Council resolutions.

It was decided in the meeting that Pakistan would approach the UNHRC “on its own behalf and on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Countries Contact Group on Kashmir” for sending a UN fact-finding mission to the valley.

Apart from the worsening situation in Indian Kashmir, successes achieved in Operation Zarb-e-Azb, Pak-Afghan border security measures and overall security situation in the country were also discussed.

Kashmir killings: Terrorism case sought against Modi

The participants also affirmed their “resolve against elimination of terrorism and extremism from the motherland”.

Putting his weight behind the security apparatus in its counterterrorism drive, PM Nawaz reiterated that operations against the terrorists would continue across the country.

Official sources said the leaders also discussed the security situation in Sindh in general and Karachi in particular. The premier expressed satisfaction over the ongoing targeted operations in Karachi for the restoration of peace. He directed the interior authorities to contact Sindh government for the extension of Rangers special powers on immediate basis, saying the Rangers were to be allowed to perform the duties as they had been doing in the past.

A security official said the premier was also updated on the high-profile arrest of Asad Kharal from Hyderabad Thursday night. An intelligence agency took the PM’s approval prior to the arrest of the close associate of a top Sindh government functionary after the Rangers stopped performing duties owing to legal hitches following the expiry of their powers on July 19.

A statement from the PM House said the meeting appreciated the role of the military and civil intelligence agencies against the nefarious designs of the international agencies and hostile countries.

Protesters raise Pakistani flags in Indian Kashmir

The participants expressed satisfaction over the gains achieved so far in effectively ensuring national security “while lauding the relentless and unmatched contributions and sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces and security personnel, particularly in the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb.”

The sources said the NSC meeting participants were also briefed about the construction of a gate at Torkham border to stop illegal movement between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The PM House statement read that the meeting decided on effective border management system to be introduced and enforced “in the interest of both countries”.

Regional security

Prior to the NSC meet-up, PM Nawaz and army chief Gen Raheel Sharif held a one-on-one meeting. The two met at the PM House just a day after the premier landed in the federal capital after nearly two months. “Matters pertaining to regional and internal security were discussed,” a brief PM House statement said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2016.

COMMENTS (10)

Samir | 7 years ago | Reply ISLAMABAD: Former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Sunday said Pakistan cannot "conquer Kashmir through war" and progress on the issue can only me made in an environment of mutual trust with India.</p Did no one in Pakistan read this [news][1]?
IAhmed | 7 years ago | Reply @Subhash: You are right this law is not applicable for Baluchistan, Sindh and GB and other provinces. Do you know why? Because These are part of Pakistan NOT disputed territory like KASHMIR.
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