PAKISTAN has welcomed a US Congressional hearing on the ‘unacceptable situation’ in Occupied Kashmir, reiterating Islamabad’s call on the international community for playing their role in averting threats to regional peace and stability. In a statement, the Foreign Office termed the latest public hearing of US House of Representative’s Sub-Committee on Asia and the Pacific on human rights in South Asia ‘timely’ as it underscored the need for addressing the Kashmir dispute urgently.
It is because of the diplomatic offensive launched by Pakistan and efforts of the AJK government especially President Masood Khan that there is now greater realization in the world capitals about gravity of the situation in Occupied Kashmir and the need for peaceful resolution of the longstanding conflict. No doubt, India has annexed Occupied Kashmir but its action has not found legitimacy in international circles as was also confirmed by the hearing in the US Congress where members noted that India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5 and subsequent lockdown of the occupied valley have created a humanitarian crisis with security implications for the entire region. It was also important that apart from members of the Committee, officials of the State Department also expressed concern over the human rights situation. There was also resentment and indignation over the refusal by the Indian authorities to allow US lawmakers and journalists to travel to Occupied Kashmir. The pressure for an access to the valley would further increase following Pakistan’s decision of providing free access to diplomats and media men to this part of the Line of Control. It is also important to note that US Assistant Secretary of State Alice G. Wells informed the Congressional panel that India’s annexation of the occupied lands has not changed America’s position on occupied Kashmir, as it continues to consider it a disputed territory. This is a clear message to New Delhi that its illegal actions have not changed the nature of the dispute. However, the US needs to go beyond verbal rhetoric to play an effective role in peaceful resolution of the issue. Pakistani missions abroad and Pakistani/Kashmiri Diaspora should aggressively engage with local parliamentarians, political leaders and media to build more pressure on India
