Pakistan committed to Kashmiris’ right to self-determination

PAKISTAN would continue to support the oppressed people of Indian-occupied Kashmir in their struggle for self- determination, an official said, a year after India revoked the disputed region’s semi-autonomous status.

Charge d’Affaires Saadia Awan renewed Pakistan’s commitment, as Kashmir marked on August 5, the first anniversary of India’s controversial decision, which put the Muslim-majority region under a lockdown.

“Due to [the] Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, the world has understood the dynamics of lockdowns, its pressures, anxieties, of living with limited movements outside of one’s home to protect ourselves and our community. Though, restricted in our homes, we exercise all forms of freedom and enjoy access to internet, phones, and hospitals,” Awan said.

“Where as in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir since August 5, 2019 after India unilaterally revoked special provisions provided in Article 370 and 35A, Indian Occupied Jammu Kashmir (IOJK) comprising of 8 million people was placed under the control of New Delhi and is under siege, leading to total shutdown, terrorism and violence in the valley,” she added.

Awan also noted that “freedom of speech and expression and access to the newspapers, television, mobile telephones, Internet, hospitals, police stations, courts and elected representatives have been curtailed further after the 5th

August 2019.”

On Aug. 5, 2019, the Indian government revoked Kashmir’s limited autonomy, promising that the move would facilitate economic development by bringing the territory into the country’s administrative mainstream.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of Indian security forces have enforced a virtual siege of the territory, implementing widespread curfews and lockdowns, controlling citizens’ movement, banning protests and cutting off the region’s mobile internet connectivity.

“The situation today in Kashmir is worse in comparison; adding to the restriction and restraints are woes caused by Covid-19 pandemic,” Awan said. She noted that the Indian government “has embarked on an aggressive settlement project under the shroud of Covid-19.”

“On March 31, the Indian government introduced the new domicile law. Its aim is demographic change, and at taking the land and resources from the indigenous population of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” she continued.

On May 18, she said domicile certificate procedures were introduced allowing Indian Hindus to settle in IIOJK, while requiring the indigenous population of Kashmir to apply for residency permits.

“It can be foreseen further disempowerment of the people of Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, who are already facing inhumane and illegal occupation at the hands of Indian government and forces,” she added.

These new rules, according to Awan, violate United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, and International

law, especially the fourt Geneva Convention.

“It has continuously violated UN Security Council resolutions for decades,” Awan said, citing severals reports by various human right groups and organizations that “have raised their voices against the atrocities being committed against the Kashmiris in IIOJK.”

“Pakistan’s position remains clear and unambiguous. The solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute lies in the realization of the Kashmiris’ inalienable right to self-determination through a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations,” she added.

“The Government, leadership and people of Pakistan remain firmly committed to the cause of Kashmiris right of Freedom,” she said.