Nawaz Sharif demands J&K plebiscite

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday urged India to grant self-determination rights to Kashmiris as pledged by it before the world community.

In his message, on the state-sponsored “Black Day” against the “atrocities of Indian security forces” in Kashmir, he said no state can be allowed to trample human rights in the name of political interests and state strategy.

The PM said Kashmir cannot be considered an internal affair of India as the United Nations has declared it a dispute and India itself made a commitment to hold plebiscite to determine the will of the people of Kashmir.

Mr Sharif further pointed out that, like others, human rights violations in Kashmir too must be raised at the UN and other forums. He said Pakistan cannot remain oblivious to Indian atrocities against people in Kashmir.

Pakistan stands firmly with the Kashmiris at this hour of trial and would fight their case vigorously on diplomatic, political and human rights fronts, he added.

Meanwhile, Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz rejecting the Indian notion of equating the struggle of Kashmiris with terrorism said the people of Kashmir were fully justified in demanding their right to self determination. Addressing an event here to observe ‘black day’ against the Indian aggression and extrajudicial killings of innocent Kashmiris, Sartaj Aziz expressed the concern that India was avoiding Composite Dialogue with Pakistan by linking Kashmir struggle with terrorism. Mr Aziz said there was a need to initiate a serious dialogue over the issue to resolve it and added Pakistan would continue to raise it at all international fora and had expedited its diplomatic efforts to apprise the world of the ongoing atrocities against the Kashmiris in Kashmir. He said the involvement of Kashmiri leadership was vital for the success of any talks on the issue and a step forward towards a meaningful resolution. He said Pakistan, in recent days had held a series of briefings to the diplomats of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Permanent Five members of the UN Security Council on the plight of the Kashmiris and the excesses of the Indian security forces. He said Pakistan also shared his country’s stance on the issue and the need for resolving the matter in accordance with the Resolutions of the UN. Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan would continue to highlight the matter at all fora for effective measures to help the Kashmiri people. He said Pakistan would continue to extend moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris. Pakistan on Wednesday observed ‘black day’ to express solidarity with Kashmiri people who are being subjected to worst brutalities in Kashmir by the Indian armed forces. The government had directed ministries, divisions and provincial governments to observe the Day and express solidarity with Kashmiris and lodge protest against ‘Indian atrocities.’ Rallies and functions were arranged across Pakistan and Pakistan Administrated Kashmir to draw attention of the world community towards the Kashmir issue. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been directed by the political leadership to instruct all Pakistani missions abroad to highlight the Kashmir issue through media platforms.