Premier Nawaz welcomes Bilawal at the meeting of parliamentary leaders. PHOTO: APP
Leaders of all but three political parties with representation in parliament showed up at a top level huddle presided over by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to forge parliamentary unity and consensus in the backdrop of ongoing tension with arch rival India and its growing human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK).
The Pakistan-India ties had been on the downward trajectory since India’s brutal crackdown on protests that erupted after July 8 killing of a popular separatist leader in the IOK.
However, the relations further worsened after September 18 attack on an Indian military base in occupied Kashmir and the subsequent Indian allegations, threats, shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) and a claim of surgical strike on militants inside Pakistan.
“The people, the government, the political parties and the armed forces of Pakistan are firmly united in supporting the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, as guaranteed to them in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions,” said a joint statement issued after the meeting.
“That recognising that Indian occupation forces have killed more than 110 innocent civilians, including women and children, and blinded over 700 people by use of pellet guns in last 87 days, we condemn the continued killings of innocent Kashmiris, which are a grave violation of human rights, and of international humanitarian laws,” it added.
The parties also condemned India’s “documented interference in Balochistan,” besides condemning Indian attempts to destabilise Pakistan “as substantiated by the capture and confession of serving Indian naval officer from RAW [Research and Analysis Wing] Kulbashan Yadav.”
Yadav was arrested in March this year as he was trying to illegally enter into Pakistan via Iran. Later, in a video message Yadav had confessed to his involvement in fomenting terrorism in Balchistan and Karachi.
The meeting also came down hard on ‘ludicrous Indian claims’ of carrying out ‘surgical strike’ across the LoC on alleged ‘launching pads’ of militants inside Pakistan. “[These are] blatantly false and brazen attempts at diverting international attention away from its atrocities in the IOK,” it said.
The meeting also deplored continued use of draconian laws against the Kashmiris and recurring curfews in the IOK in clear violation of all international human rights conventions.
“We regret Indian designs to scuttle all diplomatic efforts for bilateral and multilateral dialogue, including the refusal to engage constructively at the Saarc [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation] forum,” it said.
Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said Kashmiris movement could not be suppressed by the Indian brutalities ‘anymore’.
“Kashmiris’ struggle for their right to self-determination is legitimate and the UNSC-mandated. Kashmiris and Pakistanis are inseparable. We will make relentless efforts to highlight their plight at every international forum with the support of my colleagues from other parties in parliament,” he said.
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry briefed the meeting about Pakistan-India tension, worsening situation in the IOK and Pakistan’s diplomatic response to Indian aggression.
He said India’s negative role was being effectively highlighted at different international and regional forums including the UN, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Saarc and related organisations.
The foreign secretary also briefed the meeting about efforts of the PM’s special envoys on Kashmir in highlighting the issue in European, American and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
“We are giving India a befitting response at every diplomatic level. Indian propaganda, baseless accusations and highhanded designs are being countered at appropriate forums,” Chaudhry said.
The politicians including those from opposition extended their unconditional support to the federal government on IOK issue and against Indian designs.
Talking to the media, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said his party fully supported the premier on Kashmir cause. “Only a united Pakistan can face Indian aggression and achieve the objectives of national security.”
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Shah Mehmood Qureshi said his party had put aside all differences to become a part of Monday meeting. “We want to convey this message to India and the entire world that we stand with Kashmiris,” he said.
The Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq said a unified stance for Pakistan and Kashmir should be formulated in the national interest. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Fazlur Rehman urged that the prime minister raise Indian atrocities internationally. “The stance of parliamentary leaders on Kashmir is a reflection of the sentiments of Pakistani people.”
The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) Kamil Ali Agha called on the PM to highlight India’s state terrorism in Kashmir and its designs on Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan. “We should strive to forge new alliances across international forums,” he said.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Farooq Sattar said the party unconditionally and completely puts its weight behind federal government on the IOK and against India. The Awami National Party’s (ANP) Ghulam Ahmad Bilour also reiterated his party’s support to the government on Kashmir.
Nawaz to chair NSC meeting today
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will chair a meeting of the National Security Committee today. All provincial chief ministers will attend the meeting on special invitation, said a statement issued by the PM House on Monday.
Finance minister, defence minister, interior minister, information minister, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, services chiefs, Inter-Services Intelligence chief, national security adviser, adviser on foreign affairs and foreign secretary will also attend the meeting.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2016.
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