Pakistan uses K-word to shield Hizbul boss after US tag

Islamabad: Pakistan on Tuesday slammed as “completely unjustified” the US’ designation of individuals supporting the right of “self-determination” of Kashmiris as terrorists, a day after America declared Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a “global terrorist”.

“Pakistan shall continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support for the just struggle of the Kashmiri people for the realisation of the right to self-determination and the peaceful resolution of  the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council  Resolutions,” the foreign ministry said here in a statement.

“The designation of individuals supporting the Kashmiri right to self-determination as terrorists is completely unjustified,” a ministry spoke-sperson said in a statement without naming Salahuddin.

The “70-year long indigenous struggle of Kashmiris remains legitimate,” the spokesperson claimed.

“The gross and systematic violations of human rights of the Kashmiri people that have been recorded and reported by independent human rights bodies is a reality,” he said. The state department said Salahuddin “has committed, or poses a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism.”