PM urges UN chief to intervene in IOK

The premier highlighted recent killing of 15 innocent Kashmiris and injuries to more than 300 protesters


Our Correspondent December 20, 2018
The premier highlighted recent killing of 15 innocent Kashmiris and injuries to more than 300 protesters. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: Amid an ongoing push by Pakistan to persuade the international community to play its role in putting an end to the Indian repression of innocent Kashmiris, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday telephoned United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and expressed concern on the recent escalation in violence in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK).

PM Imran urged the secretary general to weigh in and stop India from perpetrating state repression, violence and brute force against Kashmiris, including women and children.

“The PM expressed deep shock and grave concern on the escalation in the continuing violence in IOK, especially the recent killing of 15 innocent Kashmiris and injuries to more than 300 protesters,” read an official statement.

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The premier, the communique added, termed the situation in IOK as “unacceptable”. He added that the imposition of presidential rule in IOK had the danger of further aggravating the already serious situation.

He stressed that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is not a bilateral issue between Pakistan and India, but an internationally recognised dispute and an outstanding agenda item in the UN Security Council.

In line with the recommendations of the June 2018 report of UN Human Rights Commissioner in Kashmir, the premier said that a Commission of Inquiry should be dispatched urgently to investigate this grave situation.

The prime minister reiterated the proposal to appoint a Special UN Representative for resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

Earlier in the day, the federal cabinet condemned the ongoing genocide of Kashmiris by Indian occupation forces as well as imposition of president’s rule in the occupied region. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the prime minister would talk to the UN secretary general about the worsening situation in occupied Kashmir.

India on Wednesday imposed president’s rule in occupied Kashmir after the expiry of the six-month governor’s rule, paving the way for the central government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take all policy decisions related to the territory.

Pakistan condemned the move as another step in the continuity of Indian brutalities and barbarism, with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi urging the world organisations and defenders of human rights to play their due role to stop the atrocities against the innocent Kashmiris.

The minister demanded that the UN secretary general immediately appoint a special representative on the Kashmir issue.

The move comes amid escalation of Indian brutalities and a flagrant violation of human rights by the Indian occupation forces in the occupied territory. On December 15, Indian troops martyred as many as 11 Kashmiri youths during a cordon and search operation and firing of live ammunition at protesters in Pulwama.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also strongly condemned the ongoing killing of unarmed innocent civilians by occupation forces in IOK as a “wicked terrorist act”.

OIC General Secretariat “called upon the international community to play its role in order to reach a just and lasting solution to the conflict in Kashmir, in accordance with the relevant international resolutions adopted by the OIC and the UN Security Council, and fulfil the aspirations of the Kashmiri people”.

Appalled by the mindless killing spree of Indian forces, Kashmiri politicians recently sent out an “SOS to humanity”, triggering a call from Pakistan to the international community to play its role in putting an end to Indian barbarism.

COMMENTS (1)

AbdulJabbar Puthiyaveetil | 5 years ago | Reply All those he told on phone to US Secretary General?
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