ISLAMABAD, Oct 12 (APP): Prime Minister’s Special Envoys
on Jammu and Kashmir, Muhammad Pervez Malik and Mohsin Shah Nawaz Ranjha, called on Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and apprised him of the on going gross human rights violations by the occupation forces in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK).
The special envoys noted that the extrajudicial killing
of the Kashmiri youth leader, Burhan Wani, on July 08, 2016, triggered the latest phase in the long history of indigenous Kashmiri uprisings against the illegal occupation, with hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris taking to the streets, demanding their right to self determination.
Consequent to the blatant use of force by Indian army in
blatant contravention of all norms of international law and
international humanitarian laws, more than 110 innocent
Kashmiris had lost their lives and over 12,000 injured.
They, in particular, drew attention towards the use of
pellet guns by the occupation forces, permanently blinding hundreds of protestors and even bystanders, including women and children.
They underscored the importance of the international
community and the UN Security Council fulfilling their moral and political responsibility to urge India to immediately halt indiscriminate and lethal use of force against unarmed civilians.
They called for providing urgent medical help for the injured, especially those affected by pellet guns and ending virtual imprisonment of all Kashmiris for the past three months by lifting the curfew.
The envoys asked for allowing a UN fact finding mission
to investigate the systematic violations of human rights in IOK and holding accountable those responsible for such atrocities in the light of these investigations.
The envoys demanded to abrogate the draconian laws in
place in IOK to suppress the inalienable rights of the Kashmiri people and immediately release all Kashmiri political prisoners and remove travel ban on Kashmiri leaders.
They said that Kashmiris should be given their fundamental right to demonstrate peacefully and most importantly, ensure the exercise of the right to self determination by the people of Jammu and Kashmir through a free and fair plebiscite held under UN auspices, as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Also briefing on the latest security situation including escalation of tensions on the Line of Control (LoC), the special envoys emphasized that peace in the region and normalization of ties between Pakistan and India could not be achieved without just resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
They also conveyed gratitude for Turkey’s unequivocal
and consistent support for Pakistan on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as its active role as a member of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir.
The special envoys also thanked the Turkish government
for its strong support for sending an OIC fact finding mission to IOK to document the systematic and arbitrary violations of human rights.
Welcoming the special envoys to Turkey, Prime Minister
Binali Yildirim conveyed his cordial greetings for the
president and prime minister of Pakistan.
Noting the special quality and depth of Turkey Pakistan
relations, he underlined that these ties were based on brotherhood and sincerity.
He also underscored the long standing tradition of
Turkey and Pakistan always standing by each other. In this
context, he reiterated gratitude for Pakistan’s strong support
and solidarity with Turkey in the face of attempted coup on
July 15, 2016.
Expressing deep concern over the sufferings of innocent
Kashmiri people, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim underlined that Turkey had called for restraint and use of peaceful means to resolve the issue.
He stressed that dialogue between India and Pakistan would help lead the situation towards a peaceful resolution.
Highlighting Turkey’s role in the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister reaffirmed Turkey’s support for a solution of this long standing dispute in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council.
The special envoys are visiting Turkey on the instructions of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, with a view to highlighting the grave human rights situation in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
