Kashmiri leader urges international community to play 'practical role' for IOK

Raja Sikandar Khan appreciates those working for Kashmir cause in UK, elsewhere

MUZAFFARABAD: Global Pakistan and Kashmir Council (GPKC) UK chairman Raja Sikandar has urged the international community to take notice of the plight of the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), who have been living under complete lockdown since August 5 when New Delhi revoked the region's autonomous status.

"The world should listen to the cries of mothers, daughters and elders [of IOK] who have been bearing continuous Indian oppression and suppression," he said in his address at a dinner hosted by prominent Kashmiri leader and Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement (JKSM) Altaf Ahmad Bhat on Tuesday in Muzaffarabad.

Sikander said the IOK had become an "open-air jail" due to communication blackout and curfew that has been in place in the valley for five months. "It is time for the international community to play a practical role for the people of occupied Kashmir," he added.

Chairman GPKC appreciated those working for Kashmir cause in the UK and other parts of the world. He lauded Kashmiris in IOK "who were living under continuous persecution and suppression of Indian occupation forces".

Bhat said the people of IOK could achieve freedom from Indian occupation through unity in their ranks. "We should demand the right of self-determination, and gather under a single banner rather than raising different slogans," he said.