Islamabad, Feb 18: On Tuesday, Pakistan’s parliament unanimously adopted a resolution calling on India to adhere to UN Security Council resolutions that permit Kashmiris to exercise their democratic right to determine their own future through a fair and impartial plebiscite under the UN’s supervision.
Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam introduced the resolution, which reaffirmed Pakistan’s “steadfast moral, political, and diplomatic support” for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, as reported by Radio Pakistan.
This isn’t the first instance of such a resolution being passed in favor of Kashmiris, yet the motivation behind Tuesday’s resolution remains unclear.
The resolution praised the bravery and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, urged India to enhance the human rights conditions in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), demanded the release of detained Kashmiri leaders, and called for the repeal of all oppressive laws.
The already strained relations between India and Pakistan worsened significantly following India’s abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, which revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and divided it into two Union Territories.
India has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir “was, is, and will remain” an integral part of the nation.
Condemning the alleged human rights abuses in Kashmir and the “unlawful” actions taken on August 5, 2019, Pakistan’s resolution asserted that “no political process in the occupied territory can replace the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.”
It also denounced provocative statements made by Indian officials regarding Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The resolution emphasized that resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people “is crucial for achieving peace and stability in South Asia.”
Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam noted that the UN must take an active role in resolving the Jammu and Kashmir issue and expressed that the people of Pakistan stand resolutely with their Kashmiri counterparts. (Agencies)
