World community's silence over IoK's siege deplored

International community's silence on Jammu & Kashmir for last 123 days proves that trade and economic interests are far superior than humanity," said Secretary General (Federal) of the Businessmen Panel and former Chairman FPCCI Standing Committee, Ch Ahmad Jawad.

He said the Indian government's action in the held Jammu and Kashmir reflects its growing frustration which seems to continue.

"Mentioning religious oppression and interference, he said the Indian administration in occupied Kashmir has asked authorities of Dastgir Sahib Shrine not to use loud speakers or congregational prayers during Urs which begins from today. It's a 200-year-old shrine situated in Khanyar."

Kashmir and the CPEC, he said, were interdependent influencing regional peace and development, which was unfortunately not acceptable to India.

"In its desperation, India has made China a stakeholder in its pending bilateral dispute with Pakistan," he added.

Similarly, by revoking the special status of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK), the BJP government showed its frustration for not being able to get altered one of the CPEC routes that passes through Gilgit-Baltistan.

"The BJP government, comprising right wing extremists, is also conscious that it can never affect the CPEC project that has already turned into a hard reality," he added.

Jawad maintained that Indian action had also drawn the world attention towards its atrocities on the IoK people in a bid to deprive them of the right to self-determination.

He said India got panicked after the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government released over Rs 183 million for the construction of the first phase of the mega Special Economic Zone approved under the CPEC.

Mirpur would have the giant 9th Special Economic Zone (SEZ), over an area of 9,500 kanals of land under the CPEC," he added.

Indian resistance against the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, he said, was cited to be predominantly based on its stance related to the Gilgit-Baltistan region.

"Conversely, Beijing's position on the matter is neutral to date, which has asked India to become a part of CPEC and resolve the Kashmir dispute through negotiations with Pakistan," he added.

China, he said, has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

Given the massive investment that China has made in the countries along the One Belt - One Road (OBOR), he said it has also a interest in helping resolve regional conflicts, including the Kashmir dispute.

Jawad reiterated that the Indian government ought to accept the responsibility for the human rights violations being carried out in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

He welcomed the statements of Swedish Royal couple King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia and senior ministers including Foreign Minister Anne calling upon the government of India to lift all restrictions placed in IoK.

"We emphasize the importance of respect for human rights. An escalation of the situation in Kashmir is avoided and a long-term political solution involving Kashmiris must be found. Dialogue between India and Pakistan are crucial in this regard," he maintained.