PM urges UN to play role for ending Indian atrocities in Kashmir

In a letter to UN chief and HC, Nawaz Sharif calls for investigation of human rights violation in held valley

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has urged the United Nations Secretary General to make efforts to end violation of basic human rights in Kashmir by Indian forces.

In letters written to Ban Ki-Moon and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the premier called for an end to persistent and egregious violation of the basic human rights in the valley.

Prime Minister writes letters to UN Secretary General & UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of Kashmiri people https://t.co/2blpZ1OFiQ

— Pakistan High Commission India (@PakinIndia) August 9, 2016

Nawaz also urged implementation on resolutions of UN Security Council, which provide for self determination of Kashmiri people through a fair and impartial plebiscite under the aspiration of the UN.

Highlighting human rights abuses by Indian occupation forces, the PM said more than 50 deaths and 3500 injuries had taken place, out of which 400 were critical.



Many innocent Kashmiris had lost their eyesight due to pellet guns, which the Indian forces used with the deliberate intention of causing serious permanent injuries.

The premier stressed that use of illegitimate and excessive force against innocent civilians protesting peacefully over extrajudicial killings was a blatant violation of a range of fundamental rights.

Nawaz also pointed out the usage of Indian force to prevent access to hospitals and medical facilities and harass doctors.

“The situation is a clear manifestation of Indian state terrorism to suppress the Kashmiris’ struggle for their inalienable right to self-determination,” the premier maintained.

He called for investigation into the brutalities and atrocities committed by Indian forces, and a fair inquiry into the killing of separatist leader Burhan Muzaffar Wani in cold blood.

Meanwhile, the premier has reportedly expressed dismay that none of the UN offices, including United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) operating in Pakistan had issued a condemnation on the atrocities in held Kashmir.



Nawaz made these remarks while chairing a preparatory meeting of diplomatic functionaries regarding the UN General Assembly’s session on September 13, where Pakistan is preparing to raise the issue.

“What are these offices for—when they cannot take up a human rights issue as serious and genuine as IOK [Indian-Occupied Kashmir]. What could be more grave an issue than that?” sources quoted the PM as having remarked.

The meeting was attended by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Maliha Lodhi, PM’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaz Aziz, PM’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry, Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Jalil Abbass Jilani and other senior officials.