Assembly slams Indian atrocities

Lawmakers express solidarity with Kashmiris, urge peaceful resolution of Bajaur unrest

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly on Monday unanimously passed two key resolutions, one condemning India's illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and another urging restraint and civilian protection amid recent unrest in Bajaur district.

The first resolution, tabled by MPA Naeem Khan, marked 76 years of India's illegal control over Jammu and Kashmir. It denounced the ongoing military siege, human rights violations, and suppression of the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination. The resolution urged the federal government to continue extending full moral, political, and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their struggle for freedom.

According to the resolution, India's "unlawful and unethical" occupation of Jammu and Kashmir has persisted since 1948. Despite decades of repression, Kashmiris around the world continue to observe Black Day every year to protest Indian atrocities. "While the free nations of the world live in peace, the people of Kashmir remain under a cloud of tyranny and fear," the resolution stated.

It further emphasized that under the 1947 partition agreement, Kashmir was a natural and integral part of Pakistan. However, India's refusal to accept this reality forced the brave people of Jammu and Kashmir to wage a relentless struggle, liberating a part of their territory through great sacrifice.

The House recommended that the provincial government, through the federal government, raise the issue of Kashmir at international forums to keep global attention focused on the plight of the Kashmiri people. Lawmakers reaffirmed that Pakistan's completion would remain incomplete without Kashmir.

In a separate development, the Assembly also unanimously approved a resolution concerning the deteriorating situation in Bajaur. Presented by MPA Dr Hameedur Rehman, the resolution voiced deep concern over the escalating clashes between security forces and armed groups in the tribal district. It noted that the violence has triggered widespread fear, displacement, and the risk of civilian casualties and property loss.

The resolution opposed any large-scale military operation in civilian areas, declaring that such actions would go against public interest. Instead, it called for prioritizing the safety of residents and pursuing peace through negotiations. It urged the government and state institutions to avoid measures that could endanger civilian lives and proposed the formation of a peace committee, comprising local elders, religious scholars, and tribal leaders, to develop practical recommendations for restoring stability.

Assembly's unanimous approval of both resolutions was hailed as a continuation of Pakistan's longstanding parliamentary commitment to the Kashmiri cause and its broader focus on peace and civilian welfare in the tribal districts. Lawmakers stressed that ensuring peace, development, and citizen protection in Bajaur and other merged areas must remain the government's top priority to end uncertainty and foster sustainable stability in the region.