Prime Minister's Special Envoy on Kashmir Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh MNA has said that Pakistan is a peace-loving country and desires peace in the region for stability, well-being and alleviation of poverty but he regretted that India continues to sponsor state terrorism in Pakistan and in Indian Held Kashmir. According to a message received from London, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh was addressing British Parliamentarians, businessmen and representatives of the civil society here on Sunday.
Qaiser Sheikh informed that recently a serving Indian Naval Commander, was arrested in Pakistan, who was involved in fostering unrest in Pakistan. He said such steps by India clearly show its hegemonic designs in the region. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh further said that Pakistan, despite these provocative actions, looked for lasting peace in the region for which the Kashmir dispute needed to be resolved in line with the UN resolutions.
The PM's special Representative Qaiser Sheikh said that the Indian government should immediately grant permission to the UNHRC to visit Kashmir valley and enable it to conduct an independent enquiry into human rights abuses in Held Kashmir including the suppression of their democratic rights. He also demanded the release of human rights activist Khurram Pervez, detained under black law Public Safety Act.
He said that the Indian government has repeatedly blocked all attempts by the UNHRC to intervene and inquire into allegations of human rights abuses by Indian forces in Kashmir. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said India has disallowed the request by the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights Zeid Ra ad al-Hussein for conducting an inquiry by independent observers in Kashmir stating that it is an internal matter. "We note with serious concern that India's policy in Kashmir has been marked by a culture of impunity preventing scrutiny by independent international bodies into the actions of forces," Qaiser Sheikh said.
The PM's Special envoy highlighted the gross violation of human rights and international law by India in Indian Held Kashmir and brought to the notice of the British MPs the use of pellet bullets and the loss of eyesight of innocent children. He further stated that over 110 days have passed and the valley continued to be under curfew, innocent men, women and children have lost their life. When all they are demanding is the implementation of the UN resolutions granting them the right of self-determination.
Qaiser Sheikh condemned the killing of a young boy Javed Mir by Indian forces in IHK and said that Javed Mir was the sole breadwinner of his family and was not part of any protest against the Indian occupation. He also raised concerns about the health and treatment of Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik, who is in the custody of Indian authorities. Malik was reportedly transferred to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as his health condition got worse.
The Prime Minister's Special Envoys on Kashmir Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh MNA also had a detailed meeting with the British Law makers and briefed them on the gross human rights violations by the Indian forces in IHK. He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to resolve the issue peacefully. He also urged them to raise the issue of human rights violations in the House of Commons and call upon the UK government to send a fact finding mission of British parliamentarians to IHK.
Talking to Prime Minister's Special Envoys on Kashmir Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh MNA, the British Law makers expressed concerns on human rights violations in IHK and said the use of pellet guns by the Indian forces was not acceptable. They also expressed disappointment on India's reluctance to allow a United Nations fact finding mission to the IHK.-PR