An Indian paramilitary troop stops a Kashmiri woman during a curfew imposed in Srinagar on July 19, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
The strongly-worded statement from the Foreign Office came in response to reports that the BJP government has been seeking to amend the Indian constitution, abolishing the special status being enjoyed by the disputed state since 1947.
Under Article 370-A of the Indian constitution, the state of Kashmir enjoys special status, as no non-Kashmiri can permanently settle or buy land in the disputed territory. Theoretically the disputed Himalayan region enjoys autonomy, with New Delhi retaining control over defence, foreign affairs and economic matters.
India uses excessive repression in occupied Kashmir, reports Amnesty
“The Indian policy of killing innocent Kashmiris is part of a strategy to break the spirit of Kashmiris; alter the demography in Jammu & Kashmir; and convert it into a Muslim minority from an overwhelming Muslim majority state,” Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakria told reporters at the weekly news briefing.
“To that end, besides killing Kashmiris in scores, other measures that India has taken are settling non-Kashmiris, accommodating Indian forces personnel, who have been committing crimes against humanity, exclusive colonies for political manipulation, etc.,” Zakria alleged.
The spokesperson said Kashmiris had been promised the right to self-determination through a free, fair and transparent plebiscite under the UN auspices in line with the relevant UNSC resolutions.
This had been pending due to Indian obstinacy for the last seven decades, the spokesperson said, adding now, India was attempting to preempt the results of any future UN plebiscite by changing the demography of Occupied Kashmir through unlawful means in contravention of the UNSC resolutions.
He recalled that former adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had written a letter to the UNSG, underscoring the Indian attempts. “We expect the international community to take practical steps to halt Indian violation of the UNSC resolutions on Kashmir and its international obligations.”
US Afghan review
When asked to comment on recent statements emanating from Washington, asking Pakistan to do more, the spokesperson insisted that such assertions were based on misperception created through ‘media propaganda’.
India using chemical agents against Kashmiris: FO
“To allay misperception, Pakistan prefers to discuss through established channels of communications rather than talking through [the] media,” Zakria emphasized.
On the imminent US Afghan policy review, the spokesperson said it would be inappropriate to say anything based on speculation.
However, Zakria outlined Pakistan’s approach, saying there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.
“The focus of the international campaign since 2001 has been on a military approach. We believe this approach has not borne fruit and thus needs a revisit,” he argued.
He said the enduring solution to the protracted conflict in Afghanistan could only be achieved through reconciliation and peace talks.
“Pakistan has therefore welcomed and supported the Afghan government’s peace deal with Hizb-e-Islami. We believe it can serve as a model for future talks with other insurgent groups, including the Taliban.
“Pakistan will do all within its means to support the reconciliation process that has the ownership of the Afghan government. We support the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process,” he added.
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