Pakistan's civil and military leadership on Sunday came together to warn India against continued aggression and serious human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) while reiterating to continue providing "all out diplomatic, moral and political support to the brave people of IOK in their indigenous struggle to get justice and their right to self-determination in line with UNSC resolutions," from the forum of National Security Committee (NSC) under the chair of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
A statement issued after the top-level conclave said the NSC noted with concern India's "destabilising efforts through dubious means. India having lost all moral authority in IOK and sensing erosion of its belligerent stance at international level keeps resorting to illegal, undemocratic and inhuman measures that have resulted in huge loss of lives and property in IOK. Recent buildup of forces and their brutal use against an unarmed population is adding fuel to fire."
Top government and military officials including Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Raja Farooq Haider, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Interior Minister Ijaz Shah, Kashmir Affairs Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, PM's Advisor on Finance Hafeez Sheikh, PM's Special Assistant on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Air Chief Mujahid Anwar Khan, Naval Chief Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Director General Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, DG Inter Services Pubic Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood among other senior officials attended the huddle.
According to the official handout, the NSC was briefed on India's deplorable suppression of populace in IOK, plans to use bogey of terrorism for political ends disregarding situation on ground, use of cluster munitions against civilians to provoke Pakistan and use of disinformation manoeuvre to confuse the real intent ie changing the demographic structure and the internationally recognised disputed status of IOK.
"The forum strongly condemned such Indian strategy at this time when Pakistan and the international community are focused on resolving the Afghan conflict. The recent Indian measures will increase the levels of violence and turn this area into a flashpoint and a destabilising factor in the midst of two strategically capable neighbouring countries. The forum further noted that the more India is exposed internally and internationally in its machinations, the more there are chances that it may resort to desperate and risky options including false flag operations. Pakistan remains ready to defend itself against any Indian misadventure or aggression and will continue to provide all out diplomatic, moral and political support to the brave people of IOK in their indigenous struggle to get justice and their right to self-determination in line with UNSC resolutions. Pakistan condemns Indian actions in this regard which would have adverse implications for regional and international peace. Pakistan reiterates that Kashmir is a long standing unresolved international dispute which needs peaceful resolution. Pakistan therefore urges India to come forth to resolve the issue in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people," the NSC statement said.
Addressing the NSC, PM Khan said Pakistan will always stand with Kashmiris and will not be deterred from its just stance based on UNSC resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people. "India is totally disregarding international obligations and her arrogance will only result in heightening the conflict dynamics in the region," the official statement quoted the PM as saying.
He invited attention of the world leaders and international bodies towards irresponsible, unilateral and irrational behaviour of Indian leadership. "India needs to ensure rights of the people including those living in occupied territories and also to abide by its own commitments to UNSC," Khan said.
PM AJK assured the forum that Kashmiris on both sides of Line of Control (LoC) are determined to withstand Indian hostilities and fully trust Pakistan to stand for them through thick and thin.
The PM concluded the meeting by reaffirming Pakistan's resolve to respond to any Indian misadventure or aggression with full support of the nation.
The development surfaces on the heels of heightened tension in IOK as well as LoC triggered by increased aggression and atrocities meted out at the civilian population by the Indian military. Confirmed reports from the LoC suggest that the Indian military's use of cluster bombs at the civilian population along the LoC has caused civilian deaths and resulted in large-scale displacements of civilian population that has relocated to safer areas to take refuge.
PM Khan also took to twitter to recall the United States President Donald Trump's offer to mediate on Kashmir issue, made during Khan's visit to Washington last month. "President Trump offered to mediate on Kashmir. This is the time to do so as situation deteriorates there and along the LOC with new aggressive actions being taken by Indian occupation forces. This has the potential to blow up into a regional crisis," the PM tweeted.
"It is time to end the long night of suffering for the people of Occupied Kashmir. They must be allowed to exercise their right to self determination according to UN SC resolutions. The only road to peace & security in South Asia runs through a peaceful & just settlement of Kashmir," Khan said in another tweet.
In a linked development, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi chaired a consultative meeting of former foreign secretaries that was also attended by incumbent Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood. The meeting discussed the worsening situation in IOK and decided that foreign minister would approach, in his official and personal capacities, the top officials of United Nations, its human rights organs, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other international and regional forums to sensitise the international community about fresh wave of state-sponsored terrorism in IOK triggered by the use of cluster bombs by the Indian army, it is learnt.
Furthermore, PM Khan would address the AJK Legislative Assembly on August 7 (Wednesday) to reiterate Pakistan's complete and unconditional support to Kashmir cause from the forum of AJK LA, official sources told Business Recorder.
In the backdrop of increased tension in the occupied valley, a tweet from veteran Kashmiri leader; Chairman All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Syed Ali Geelani has cautioned about India's highhanded plans in IOK. "This tweet must be taken as an SOS (Save Our Souls) message to all Muslims living on this planet. If we all die and you kept quite you will be answerable to Allah the Magnificent. Indians are about to launch the biggest genocide in the history of Mankind. May Allah protect us," Geelani tweeted earlier on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the OIC has said in a statement that it is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in the IOK including reports of deployment of additional paramilitary forces and use of banned cluster munitions by the Indian forces to target civilians.
"The (OIC) General Secretariat is saddened to learn about the civilian casualties resulting from ceasefire violations carried out by Indian forces across the Line of Control and expresses solidarity with the people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The OIC reiterates its call upon the international community to rise up to its responsibility for the peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," the statement said.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Qureshi held a telephonic conversation with Secretary General OIC Dr Yousef Bin Ahmed Al Othaimeen and discussed the situation in IOK, it is further learnt.
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