“For eight decades, the Kashmiri people have waited for the United Nations, to fulfil its solemn commitment, of a free and impartial plebiscite, under its auspices. Generations have endured illegal occupation, arbitrary extra-judicial killings, detention, enforced disappearances, sexual violence and collective punishment,”
Pakistan to continue supporting Kashmiris’ inalienable right to self-determination: PM
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 26 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Friday said Pakistan will continue to extend its full diplomatic, political and moral support to Kashmiris till they are granted their inalienable right to self-determination.
Addressing the 81th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, he said, “I assure my Kashmiri brothers and sisters, with fullest authority at my command, that we shall continue to extend, our full diplomatic, political, and moral support to them, till they are granted, their inalienable right, to self-determination. Kashmir has, and always will be, Pakistan’s jugular vein! “
He said, “A year ago, Pakistan faced external aggression from India, under a false pretext. Pakistan exercised, its inherent right of self-defence, under Article-51 of the UN Charter. “
“Our brave and valiant Armed Forces, under the courageous leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, responded with precision and professionalism. They silenced the enemy, repulsed its attacks, and taught it a lesson, it shall never ever forget,” he remarked.
The prime minister said, “Thanks to President Donald Trump’s resolute, and visionary leadership, hundreds of millions of lives in South Asia were saved. His timely intervention came at a decisive juncture, when two nuclear-armed neighbours, stood at the brink of an all-out war. Who knows the extent of devastation, that could have taken place, had President Trump not stepped in, at that critical moment with clarity of thought and action.”
He said, “We must therefore – ensure, that South Asia never reaches that precipice, ever again. But this requires a just and fair solution of the Kashmir dispute.”
“For eight decades, the Kashmiri people have waited for the United Nations, to fulfil its solemn commitment, of a free and impartial plebiscite, under its auspices. Generations have endured illegal occupation, arbitrary extra-judicial killings, detention, enforced disappearances, sexual violence and collective punishment,” he noted.
“More recently, there have been attempts to alter the legal status of Jammu and Kashmir, through demographic re-engineering and other illegal measures. Helpless Kashmiri mothers and fathers, yearn for their sons and daughters, who never return. Their homes lie silent, under curfew and in grief. For many, there is no closure – only a lifetime spent, searching for graves that bear no names,” he explained.
He said another foundation of stability in South Asia was now under strain.
“The shared waters of the Indus River system, are the lifeblood, not only for the people of Pakistan, but for the entire region,” he said adding, “India’s unilateral decision, to hold the existing Treaty, in abeyance, has no legal basis, whatsoever. In fact, both its claims and actions have been rejected by UN experts, and more recently, by the Court of Arbitration,
“ he observed.
He said, “Our legitimate stand that the treaty remains valid, binding, and fully operative – has been vindicated! Water must never be weaponized. Rivers should nourish nations, not divide them. Therefore, any attempt to stop, impede or divert, Pakistan’s share of the waters, will be treated, as an act of war. India must make, no mistake about it. “
