ISLAMABAD, Aug 05 (APP):Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam on Wednesday declared that the Kashmir issue was “alive and will remain alive” until it is resolved and the Kashmiri people are granted their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. Addressing a gathering held in connection with Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, the federal minister said no unilateral action or use of …
Kashmir issue ‘alive, will remain alive’ until Kashmiris secure right to self-determination: Amir Muqam
ISLAMABAD, Aug 05 (APP):Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam on Wednesday declared that the Kashmir issue was “alive and will remain alive” until it is resolved and the Kashmiri people are granted their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Addressing a gathering held in connection with Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, the federal minister said no unilateral action or use of force could bury the Kashmir dispute or weaken the determination of the Kashmiri people.
The Kashmir issue was alive, is alive and will remain alive, Amir Muqam said, reaffirming that Pakistan would continue to raise its voice for Kashmiris until they secured their legitimate right to decide their own future.
He said seven years had passed since India’s “illegal and unilateral” actions of August 5, 2019, but neither the resolve of the Kashmiri people had weakened nor Pakistan’s voice in their support had fallen silent.
Amir Muqam said Pakistan had rejected the August 5, 2019 measures from the outset and would never accept them, maintaining that the actions were contrary to the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and international law.
He said the Kashmir dispute was not merely an issue of territory but a question of the aspirations, sacrifices and right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people.
Referring to the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the minister said Kashmiri families continued to suffer, while young people remained imprisoned and fundamental human rights were being violated.
He paid tribute to the resilience and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, saying decades of hardships, imprisonment and loss of lives had failed to diminish their determination.
Amir Muqam said India’s revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A on August 5, 2019, was followed by measures aimed at changing the demographic composition of IIOJK. He maintained that neither Kashmiris nor Pakistan had accepted those unilateral actions.
He called upon the United Nations to ensure implementation of its relevant resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, saying the international community could not remain confined to statements while the Kashmir dispute remained unresolved.
The minister also urged international human rights organizations and the global community to take practical notice of human rights violations in IIOJK and play their role in enabling Kashmiris to exercise their right to self-determination.
He stressed that a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute was essential for lasting peace in South Asia.
Amir Muqam said Pakistan’s support for Kashmir transcended political divisions and was a matter of national policy rather than the position of any single government or political party.
Whether it is the government or the opposition, Kashmir is Pakistan’s national policy, he said, adding that the entire nation stood united with the Kashmiri people.
He said Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had presented the Kashmir cause at major international forums and consistently reminded the world that sustainable peace in South Asia was linked to a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Referring to the recent Marka-e-Haq, Amir Muqam said Pakistan had demonstrated its capability to defend its sovereignty, security and national dignity. He paid tribute to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their leadership and for presenting Pakistan’s position with unity and resolve.
Addressing the people of IIOJK directly, the federal minister said they were not alone in their struggle.
Pakistan’s parliament, government, armed forces and the entire nation stand with you, he said, reiterating Pakistan’s unwavering political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmiri people.
Recalling veteran Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Gilani, Amir Muqam said his famous words, Hum Pakistani Hain, Pakistan Hamara Hai, remained a symbol of the enduring bond between the people of Kashmir and Pakistan.
He expressed confidence that the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people would ultimately bear fruit and reiterated that Pakistan would continue standing shoulder to shoulder with them until they achieved their right to self-determination.
The gathering concluded with slogans expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri people and support for their struggle for the right to self-determination.
