Kashmiri struggle ‘just, sacred, non-negotiable’: FM Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to continue extending full support to the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in their just struggle for the right to self-determination.

“Pakistan will not let anyone take away Kashmir from the Kashmiris. This cause and the struggle is just, sacred and non-negotiable,” FM Qureshi said while addressing a seminar on IIOJK in Islamabad.

The foreign minister added Pakistan's ultimate objective remained the resolution of the IIOJK issue as per the wishes of the Kashmiri people and relevant UN Security Council resolutions through a free and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices.

Commending the resilience of the Kashmiri people in the face of Indian atrocities, the foreign minister expressed the confidence that the Kashmiri spirit will ultimately triumph.

Islamabad’s top diplomat was appreciative of the increasing international denunciation of India's brutal campaign in IIOJK.

However, he stressed there was still a lot to be done for the resolution of the besieged valley which is a prerequisite for durable peace and stability in South Asia.

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“India wanted to change the demographic structure of the territory in violation of the UN Security Council resolutions and international law." He pointed out that India has already issued over 1.8 million bogus domicile certificates to non-Kashmiris to settle them in the IIOJK to undermine the plebiscite.

FM Qureshi reiterated that the Hindutva ideology was not only a threat to the Kashmiris but to India's own nationals and particularly the Muslim minority.

“The world is witnessing the rise of ultra-nationalism, racism, fascism, religious hatred and intolerance in India,” he added.

Addressing the seminar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on National Security Dr Moeed Yusuf said Pakistan stood for peace.

“The world should push India for a sincere dialogue with Pakistan for the resolution of outstanding Kashmir dispute,” Dr Yusuf said.

The SAPM added that Pakistan would continue to expose the true face of India before the world as it has provided irrefutable evidence regarding Indian involvement in acts of terrorism inside Pakistan.