Right to self-determination for Kashmir
SINCE the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, the Kashmir issue has been a cause of conflict between Pakistan and India which fought three wars over this issue.
Despite all the efforts of Pakistan and the United Nations, the Kashmir issue is still unresolved.
The unfair division of the Indo-Pak sub-continent has left the fate of millions of Kashmiris hanging in the balance.
They were to accede to one of the two states based on the geographical location and aspirations of their people.
Kashmir is a burning issue and has claimed more than one hundred thousand lives over the decades.
India is continuously ignoring the UN resolutions for the right of self-determination of innocent Kashmiris.
India is allegedly suppressing the voice of Kashmiris through force and illegally occupying the state.
Pakistan has played a very positive role for this cause and has been a true friend, elder brother and benefactor of Kashmiris since beginning. The Pakistani people and Army have expressed complete solidarity with Kashmiris.
The sacrifices of the Pakistani people and the Pakistan Army are truly appreciable. Kashmiris consider Pakistanis as brothers and love them with heart and soul.
The feelings of Pakistanis towards Kashmiris are also the same. Kashmiris and Pakistanis are one and on the same page on the Kashmir issue.
They keep aside all controversies and stand hand in hand in solidarity with the innocent people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmiris recognize the sacrifices of Pakistan and the Pakistan Army. The hearts of Kashmiris and Pakistanis beat together
The right of self-determination is a basic norm of democratic society which is recognized universally and it provides choice to the certain individuals to decide about their future according to their own wishes.
But this right is completely denied by the so-called largest democratic country India in South Asia.
Pakistan upholds the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to self-determination in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
These resolutions of 1948 and 1949 provide for the holding of a free and impartial plebiscite for the determination of the future of the state by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan stands with the people of Kashmir unequivocally in their rightful struggle for freedom from tyranny and repression.
To end the Kashmir dispute, the only way forward is giving the people of Kashmir free will to decide their future, as guaranteed by the UNSC resolutions.
On 5th January 1949, the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan adopted a resolution that guaranteed Kashmir’s right to self-determination through an impartial plebiscite.
Despite the UN guarantees, India has not carried out a free and fair plebiscite in Kashmir even after 75 years which is an utter violation of international law.
Instead, the people of Kashmir are suffering systematic persecution at the hands of Indian occupation forces for demanding the right to self-determination.
While the international community, especially the UN, has failed to implement its resolutions, the world community must stand up against Indian tyranny and its shameful behaviour.
Dear readers, the day is not far when the occupied Kashmir will get its basic right of self-determination, both parts of Kashmir will join together and will decide as per their heartiest will to accede to Pakistan, Insha Allah.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Muzaffarabad.
