IIOJK never a part of India: Pakistan

Envoy Saima Saleem responds to Indian diplomat’s remarks at UN

ISLAMABAD:

Citing numerous UN Security Council resolutions identifying Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as a disputed territory, Pakistan's envoy to the UN, Saima Saleem, has said “it is clear that IIOJK is not and has not been a part of India.”

Responding to the Indian envoy, Saima, the first visually challenged civil servant of the country, said the UNSC Resolution 47 had made it clear that the question of expulsion of India or Pakistan IIOJK should be decided through an independent and impartial democratic process.

“India is bound by this decision in accordance with Article 25 of the UN Charter,” she said. “By illegally occupying IIOJK, India continues to violate international law and the rights of the people of the disputed territory.”

The people of IIOJK have not exercised their right to self-determination which has been promised to the people of the world, Saima added, saying that since August 5, 2019, India has been trying to transform IIOJK from a Muslim-majority state to a Hindu-majority one, in violation of the Fourth International Geneva Convention.

She deplored that due to this conflict, there is a serious humanitarian crisis lingering in IIOJK. “India is talking about terrorism which is merely an attempt to curb its state terrorism.”

Saima highlighted how millions of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and other minorities face discrimination in India. “Homes and shops of Muslims are being demolished by state sponsorship, which is reflected in the discriminatory citizenship laws,” she said. “Mass stoning of mosques, churches, and massacre of Muslims by angry mobs continues.”

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The Pakistani envoy made the UN aware of legislations passed to harass religious leaders and restricting religious freedom, including an amendment to the Citizenship Amendment Bill and a ban on the hijab in Karnataka. “Recently, 1.5 billion Muslims round the globe were hurt by the insolent statements made by the ruling party of India against the Holy Prophet (PBUH).”

Hindutva followers' racism and discrimination against minorities is evident in all Indian state administrations and even in the judiciary.

“Public demands for the genocide of Muslims were not only quietly defeated by state elements, but these measures were encouraged,” Saima added, saying that the world, human rights organizations and the international media continue to publicly condemn the Islamophobic policies of the Indian state.

“We call on the UN to stop India from its state terrorism and genocide of Muslims in IIOJK and to ensure compliance with UNSC resolutions under international law,” the Pakistani diplomat concluded.