ISLAMABAD: Vowing to raise his voice for Kashmiris till the day they get freedom, Prime Minister Imran Khan has reminded the international community to fulfil its promise of organising plebiscite in Kashmir, giving an opportunity to Kashmiris to decide their fate in light of the United Nations’ (UN) resolutions.
The Prime Minister said this while addressing a public rally in Kotli area of Azad Kashmir on Friday in connection with the Kashmir Solidarity Day.
The Prime Minister said that the international community promised with the people of Kashmiris in 1948 under the UN Security Councils’ resolutions that they will be given an opportunity to either join India or Pakistan, which still needs fulfilment. He expressed the hope, “The day will come when Kashmiris will choose Pakistan over India and we will give them the right either to remain independent or become part of Pakistan.”
“However much I can, I am raising my voice on your behalf at every forum, and will continue to do so. Whether it is with the United Nations, world leaders, or European Union leaders. I asked the past president of the US three times as well to resolve this issue. Rest assured, I said I will be the ambassador of Kashmir, and I will raise my voice for you everywhere until Kashmir gets freedom,” the PM said.
In his message to the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said the entire Pakistan as well as the Muslim world and just people, across the globe, are standing shoulder to shoulder with them in their struggle for right to self-determination. He said that Pakistan is cognisant of the oppression being committed against the people in IIOJK by the Indian forces.
“Parents are told their son has disappeared or they hear that he is a martyr. Being a father, I wish to say, we all know what you must be going through, the kind of pain you are going through, the tyrants you are facing, and how you are standing strong,” said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister said he, soon after coming to power, sent a message of friendship to Indian leadership to make them understand that the issue of Kashmir cannot be resolved through use of force. He said no army or the superpower can win a war against an entire population. He said India cannot suppress Kashmiris’ voice through the barrel of gun as even the newly born baby in Kashmir opens his eyes with sentiments of freedom in his heart.
He said despite the lockdown in occupied Kashmir since August 5, people’s spirits have not been broken and they continue to seek freedom. “No pro-India Kashmir politician can ever win the election there. I can say this in writing,” he added.
The PM said it confounded him that India is not moving ahead with a dialogue. “After Pulwama they came and martyred our trees in Balakot […] you know how fond I am of trees. It was very painful that they destroyed those trees. It was then that I knew they do not wish for peace or friendship. They used Balakot to win their elections.”
He said the Arnab Goswami “revelations showed that this was pre-planned to win elections”. He also spoke of the 600 fake websites unearthed by the EUDisinfo lab which were peddling propaganda against him and the Pakistan Army. “Today their RSS agenda and ideology is plain for everyone to see.”
He said they ended up damaging their own nation. “The country is divided. The RSS ideology has harmed their own selves the most and will continue to.”
“The Muslims are suffering, the farmers are suffering. The minorities are all fearful. Because such an ideology for a while may win you the election but this fascist ideology destroys the fabric of society,” the PM said.
Addressing India, he said: “You are laying the foundation of your ruin like this […] Today, I say to you again. Come resolve this Kashmir dispute with us. And for that, the first thing you must do is to restore Article 370. And then speak to us. And then, as per the United Nations Resolution, give the Kashmiris their due right.
“We are ready to speak to you again. But I say this again. Do not mistake our hand of friendship for weakness,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that soon the government will roll out a historic package for the country’s farmers.
The Prime Minister said this while having a meeting with a delegation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Sargodha chapter who along with National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri and MNA Malik Amir Dogar called on the Prime Minister on Friday to discuss with him internal party matters, issues faced by locals, and development projects.
The Prime Minister said that farmers of rice and sugarcane are already making fair profits in their crops, noting the incumbent government is determined to make sure that farmers thrive and prosper. He said as the present government is committed to the development of the agriculture sector and the prosperity of farmers, a biggest-ever agricultural package would be announced for them soon.
Earlier on January 25, Prime Minister Khan said the government would announce a special package for farmers “very soon” as a sub-committee of the cabinet was formulating proposals on the subject.
In a meeting with the members of National Assembly from South Punjab, he said the previous governments ignored south Punjab and discriminated against the people of the region with regard to provision of education and health and employment opportunities.
The meeting, which focused on the south Punjab secretariat and special package for farmers, was attended by Special Assistant to the PM on Political Affairs Malik Amir Dogar and MNAs Aurangzeb Khan Khichi and Nur Mohammad Khan Bhabha.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has called upon the international community to hold India accountable for its crimes against humanity in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
In his message on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Pakistan will remain unshakable in its solidarity with the Kashmiri people until they realise their inalienable right to self-determination.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolute support for the Kashmiri brothers and sisters, who continue to be subjected to an inhuman military siege and communications blockade since August 5, 2019. The Prime Minister demanded India to give access to the international human rights organisations, as well as the international media to investigate the grave human rights situation in the occupied territory.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan has always stood for peace in the region, but the onus of creating an enabling environment lies with India. He said if India demonstrates sincerity in seeking a just solution to the Kashmir issue in accordance with UNSC resolutions, Pakistan is ready to take two steps forward for peace.
He, however, made it clear that Pakistan’s desire for stability and peace should not be taken as a sign of weakness. He said, “It is because of our strength and confidence as a nation that we are prepared to go the extra mile to ensure a just peace that fulfils the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people.”
The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan stands united and resolute with the Kashmiris in their legitimate struggle for self-determination. He said over seven decades of Indian occupation and oppression have failed to weaken the Kashmiri people’s resolve. He said a younger generation of Kashmiris is now taking the struggle forward with even greater resolve.
The Prime Minister highlighted the atrocities and hardships faced by the people of Kashmir due to Indian brutalities during the military siege and assured them of Pakistan’s unflinching support.
“To the Kashmiri people, my message is that your goal of self-determination is not far,” the PM said, adding, “Pakistan will stand with you till you achieve your legitimate rights.” The Prime Minister also mentioned his desire for peace in the world. – TLTP