ISLAMABAD: The members of parliament on Wednesday resumed discussion on the situation of occupied Kashmir on the second day of the joint session in the National Assembly (NA).
According to details, the session being chaired by NA Speaker Asad Qaisar is also deliberating on the Indian government’s move to revoke Article 370 in its Constitution which grants special status to the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Shireen Mazari’s point of view
Addressing the House, Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari said Indian attempts to change the status of occupied Kashmir are not only illegal, but they also defy the Geneva Convention which attributes any change in the demographic composition of held territory as a war crime.
She said with the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A, India has violated the Shimla Accord, the decisions of its superior courts and all international norms.
“Even the Supreme Court of India gave a ruling in 2016 that central government cannot change these articles without the approval of state government,” she added.
Referring to Indian use of cluster bombs on innocent population in Azad Kashmir, she said, “Both Pakistan and India are signatories to Convention on Cluster Munitions and India has violated this international agreement.”
Our government has written a letter to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and apprised of these violations of human rights.
“Our government has also demanded the UN to set up an independent investigative committee to find out the human rights abuses being committed in Indian held Kashmir,” she told.
Raja Zafar-ul-Haq criticises government
Speaking in the Assembly, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Raja Zafar-ul-Haq said that Kashmir dispute is a serious matter, adding that abrogating article 370 was Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) mandate.
“Pakistan should have also fulfilled its responsibility in Kashmir conflict,” he asserted.
The leader said that India had been preparing for this step for long and already paved the way for domestic and international public opinion in its favor.
“All the energy is being used to suppress the opposition parties. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s telephonic conversations with his Malaysia counterpart and Turkish president are not enough to resolve Kashmir matter,” he continued.
Haq continued to say that the UN Charters binds its members to avoid such steps that are discriminatory to native populations.
Siraj-ul-Haq warns India
Jamat-e-Islami chief Siraj-ul-Haq said that the government should have summoned the session after full preparation, assuring that the opposition’s support in giving a befitting response to India and Kashmir freedom.
He further motivated the PM to take action regarding Kashmir matter as the people of Pakistan are with him.
“It will not be in India’s favor if it conspires to end the unity of the Kashmir,” he asserted.
He urged the government to organize an international conference in Islamabad to effectively highlight the issue of Kashmir to the world delegates.
“Lives and death of Kashmiris are with Pakistan and they see their future with us,” he concluded.
Maulana Asad Mehmood expresses anger on government
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) parliamentary leader Maulana Asad Mehmood said Pakistan stands with its Kashmiri brethren steadfastly.
“Strong message should be sent from Pakistan parliament that all political parties are on the same page to condemn the Indian step,” he stated.
The leader said the international community should be persuaded to play a bigger role by forcing India to stop the oppression of innocent Kashmiri people.
“If the US with all its military might could not succeed in occupying Afghanistan, how could India do the same in Kashmir,” Maulana Asad questioned.
