WASHINGTON: Azad Jammu Kashmir president Masood Khan participated in an interactive section with the media at the prestigious National Press Club, Washington DC on 26 September 2016. Drawing the attention towards the horrendous human rights violations being committed by Indian security forces, the President called upon the international community, especially the United States, to help bring an immediate end to the reign of terror unleashed on innocent freedom loving Kashmiris. The president lamented the silence of the powerful nations over the loss of hundreds of Kashmiri lives and thousand of serious injuries.
He reminded the international community of their responsibility to honour their commitment to the people of Jammu & Kashmir to get them their inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in successive UNSC resolution and agreed to by both India and Pakistan, He emphasised that the United States should respond to the present situation in IOK in line with its rich political & ideological ethos and respect for human rights and national freedoms.
He categorically rejected Indian allegations against Pakistan of supporting terrorism and highlighted that it was not humanly possible to breach the fence that India had erected throughout the Line of Control. The President stated that India was indulging in state terrorism against Kashmiris and simultaneously committing human rights violations by falsely blaming Pakistan for the Uri attack. Pakistan was only extending diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiris which it was bound to do by its international obligations and the UNSC resolutions.
Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan highlighted the centrality of Jammu & Kashmir dispute and stated that only a peaceful resolution of this dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir could bring lasting peace in the region. While responding to a question about the Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Sawaraj’s anti-Pakistan remarks at the UNGA, the president condemned the myopic Indian stance and said that India had absolutely no business interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs. He reminded India that while Balochistan was a province of Pakistan, Kashmir was an internationally recognised disputed territory. Therefore, it was absolutely unacceptable to equate the two.
The president concluded with remarks that Kashmir should not be seen as a symbol of discord between India and Pakistan. Instead, Kashmiris should be seen as ambassadors of peace and stability in South Asia. All efforts should be directed to stopping Indian atrocities in IOK and helping Kashmiris win their right to self-determination.
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