Former AJK lawmaker becomes permanent representative at UN

Prominent religious scholar and former member of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly Dr Pir Ali Raza Bukhari has been given permanent representative status at the United Nations (UN) where he will represent the Pakistan Council for Social Welfare and Human Rights as well as Interfaith Relations (PCSWHRIR) organisation.

Following approval from UN headquarters, Bukhari has been issued a ground pass as a UN permanent representative, enabling him to participate in the meetings held at the UN headquarters in New York.

Chairman PCSWHRIR Muhammad Ijaz Noori along with Executive Director Pakistani-American Citizens Mansoor Ahmed, Muhammad Asaad and Medina Amber will also work as representatives in various departments at the UN.

President Azad Jammu and Kashmir's Advisor for America, Sardar Zulfikar Khan, Sardar Zubiar Khan and other community leaders congratulated Bukhari and delegates on their appointments at the UN.

Read ‘India continuously violating international laws in IIOJK’

Talking to the media, Bukhari said that the “trust reposed in me while granting permanent representative status in UN will be a big challenge”, maintaining that the prime objective is to work for the promotion of peace and religious harmony across the globe.

Bukhari added that after interfaith religious harmony, he would focus on raising human rights violations issues, particularly in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

"The IIOJK is the oldest dispute in the UN and its permanent settlement as per UN resolutions is vital to bringing peace and security in South Asia."

He further said it is time to raise the issue of human rights abuses committed by the Indian government and their armed forces in IIOJK at the international level so an amicable solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute could be found, aimed at averting the looming threat of war between Pakistan and India.

The newly-appointed representative added that the permanent peace and security in South Asia are directly linked to the Kashmir dispute that needs to be settled promptly as per the aspirations of Kashmiris.