PM confers with Kashmiri leaders ahead of UN speech

Nawaz also holds meeting with army chief to discuss security issues

MUZAFFARABAD/ ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif assured Kashmiri leaders on Friday that he will emphatically highlight the issue of Kashmir at the upcoming 71st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

“Pakistan will continue to extend moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiris and will raise its voice for the resolution of Kashmir dispute at all forums,” he said on Friday.

Nawaz was visiting Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), where he met with the leaderships of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) AJK chapter to take them on board before flying to New York. He also exchanged notes with them.



Premier Nawaz said the atrocities of Indian security forces on innocent Kashmiris in India Occupied Kashmir (IOK) had touched extremes.

“Oppression is destined to end, and truth will prevail,” he said in reference to the ongoing violence in the IOK which since the killing of a popular freedom fighter Burhan Wani on July 8 has claimed over 80 lives and injured thousands.

Nawaz said the Kashmiris’ demand for their right to self-determination is just, which has also been acknowledged by the international community.  He called upon the United Nations to fulfill its obligation in accordance with its own resolutions.

Nawaz said the spirit of freedom struggle of Kashmiris is deeply embedded in his mind and heart and has always enabled him to vociferously advocate and raise the Kashmir issue at various forums.

“I will once again highlight the Kashmir issue in my address at the UN General Assembly session and also in the bilateral meetings with world leaders during the upcoming visit,” he added.



Nawaz was also shown a short documentary on the recent killings and atrocities committed by Indian security forces.  Nawaz said he had been closely monitoring Kashmir’s situation on social media but the documentary had exposed India and that vindicated Pakistan’s anger over the Kashmir situation.

According to sources, AJK Prime Minister Farooq Haider said it was time to use all available resources to settle the longstanding dispute once and for all.

Sources said during the upcoming UN General Assembly session Nawaz may demand simultaneously withdrawal of Pakistani and Indian troops from both the AJK and IOK to settle the Kashmir dispute on a permanent basis.

Welcoming the prime minister and the Hurriyat leaders, AJK President Masood Khan said that despite all the brutalities, IOK people were determined in their struggle for freedom.



“The prime minister has sent special envoys to various world capitals to sensitise them on the extremely inhuman acts of the occupation forces. We are greatly thankful to the prime minister, the government and people of Pakistan for adopting a comprehensive strategy,” said the AJK president.

APHC Secretary General Ghulam Murtaza Shafi expressed gratitude to the prime minister for the consultation prior to attending the Un General Assembly session.

PM, COAS discuss security situation

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also held an important meeting with army chief General Raheel Sharif to discuss internal and regional security issues ahead of his departure for the US.

Nawaz expressed satisfaction over the prevalent security situation in the country while vowing to continue the war against militancy and terrorism, a statement issued by the PM House said.

Nawaz is expected to lead Pakistan’s delegation at the 71st session from September 19. The statement on Nawaz-Raheel meeting did not mention if the PM’s upcoming visit was discussed.

However, the official statement on the PM’s engagements at the UNGA session said the premier will make a policy statement in the UNGA general debate on September 21 to enunciate Pakistan’s position, role and contribution on key international issues ranging from peace and security to development, and highlight the vision and priorities of the government.

“The prime minister will specifically focus on the current situation, particularly the continuing grave violations of human rights by the Indian occupation forces in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK).

“He will call upon the international community and the United Nations to live up to their promise of the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” the statement said.

Nawaz will also participate in the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly to address Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants on September 19 and the Leaders’ Summit on Refugees convened by US President Barack Obama on September 20.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2016.