Braving brute force: Freedom fight of Kashmiris unstoppable, says Nawaz

Felicitates Christian community on Easter; says country’s prosperity lies in unity

ISLAMABAD: Days after at least 12 people were killed in poll violence by the Indian forces in occupied Kashmir, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the use of brute military might against innocent people who refused to participate in the recent sham state elections cannot suppress their human urge for freedom.

“Kashmir is a paradise inhabited by citizens who have been consistently deprived of their right to decide about their fate,” he was quoted as saying in a statement released by the Prime Minister Office.

“There is hope for the people of Kashmir in this moment of immense distress and grief that their march towards freedom is unstoppable,” he added.

In regard to the international community’s role, the premier said it has to stop these atrocities by Indian military machinery through preventive diplomacy and must allow the Kashmir dispute to be resolved through a just and sustainable settlement.

Easter day message

The prime minister reassured members of Christian community and all other minorities that Pakistan belonged to them and stressed that the country’s peace and prosperity was in the unity of all Pakistanis.

“It is a moral and national obligation of our nation to protect the constitutional rights of each and every Christian and all other minorities, living in Pakistan as enshrined in our Constitution,” he said in a message on the Easter.

He extended his heartiest felicitations to the Christian citizens on the occasion of their religious festival, Easter.

“I wish our Christian brothers and sisters living in Pakistan the happiness and joys of Easter,” he was quoted as saying.

The premier further noted with appreciation that Pakistani Christians were playing an important role in the progress and development of the country.

“We deeply appreciate and are indebted to their valuable contributions and services towards our collective national objective of securing a truly strong, progressive and stable Pakistan,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2017.