NEW YORK: Reaffirming Pakistan’s continued support for the K
ashmiri people’s UN-pledged right to self-determination, Amba
ssador Maleeha Lodhi told a large gathering of K
ashmiri and Pakistani community members to step up their efforts to build a greater understanding about their valiant struggle among American people.
Presiding over a meeting organized by the Consulate General of Pakistan to mark K
ashmir Solidarity Day, she said the efforts of the Pakistan government and its Mission to the UN must be complemented by the community members in spreading the word about the grave situation in K
ashmir where Indian occupation forces are attempting to suppress their popular uprising for freedom. Hundreds of people have been killed and maimed an
d since Ju
ly dozens have been blinded by the use of pellet guns.
Amba
ssador Lodhi briefed the audience about the steps taken by Pakistan for the resolution of K
ashmir dispute on the diplomatic front. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had recently raised the issue with the new UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres when he met him in Davos recently.
The Prime Minister had urged Guterres to take steps to resolve the issue as it was U.N.’s responsibility to promote peace and stability. He had also highlighted the issue in his address to the UN General Assembly during his visit to New York in September when also met the former UN chief Ban Ki-moon.
A dossier on Indian atrocities in K
ashmir was also handed over to Ban who was visibly moved when he looked at the pictures.
On her part, Amba
ssador Lodhi said she had highlighted human rights violations in all the forums of the United Nations and had even spoken to the President of the UN Security Council, which had passed several resolutions granting the right of self-determination to the people of K
ashmir.
She had also meet the High Commissioner for Human Right, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, to press for Pakistan’s demand for the dispatch of a UN mission to investigate human rights violations in K
ashmir. The Pakistan Mission, she said, was also watchful against sinister attempts from various quarters to reduce the importance of the issue.
“Until K
ashmir is liberated from Indian occupation, our moral, political and diplomatic support to the K
ashmiri people will continue,” Amba
ssador Lodhi said.
MNA Nafisa Shah told the gathering that there was complete consensus on K
ashmir in Pakistan’s parliament and its elected members speak with one voice on the issue. She read out a resolution adopted by the National Assembly reiterating its support to the people of K
ashmir.
Ms. Shah said the UN Security Council resolutions on K
ashmir remained alive and must be implemeented.
Consul General Raja Ali Ejaz urged the audience make contacts with American politicians, lawmakers and common citizens and apprise them of the situation in K
ashmir. Such an approach would build up support for the cause of K
ashmir.
Capt (rtd) Shaheen Butt, head of the K
ashmir Mission and Rohail Dar, president of PML-N, USA, called for unity among the ranks of Pakistanis which will of great help to the cause of K
ashmir. Other speakers, including K
ashmiri activist Malik Nadeem Abid, offered a number of suggestion to further strengthen the case on K
ashmir.
A documentary on the grave atrocities committed by Indian security personnel against the people of K
ashmir was screened at the start of the meeting.