REPORTS from across the globe speak of growing concern being expressed by different capitals and leaders of various countries about fast deteriorating situation and blatant human rights abuses by India in occupied Kashmir. Latest is the French President Emmanuel Macron, who said he had a ‘frank’ exchange with India’s Narendra Modi about tension in occupied Kashmir, telling him Paris would remain attentive to the rights of people living on both sides of the ceasefire line. German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel assured Prime Minister Imran Khan that Germany is closely observing the situation in the India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, underlining the importance of de-escalation of tension and resolution of issues peacefully.
Credit surely goes to Pakistan Government for making concerted efforts to sensitize the international community about grave situation in the IoK following unilateral steps taken by Modi Government to annex the territory in gross violation of UN resolutions and international law. However, the magnitude of the crisis demands intensified efforts by Pakistani leadership and our envoys abroad to brief members of the world community on different aspects of the longstanding Kashmir dispute, trampling of rights of Kashmiris by occupation forces, muffling of their voice, draconian tactics being used by Modi Junta to black out information about what is happening in the Valley and the urgency to resolve the issue peacefully before it is too late. The strong reaction shown by all segments of the Kashmiris despite massive scale attempts by India to suppress their voice is a clear message that people of Kashmir would not sit ideally in the face of usurpation of their rights. The occupation forces have tightened curfew and other restrictions in their bid to prevent people from holding demonstrations and raising their voice against latest measures by New Delhi. However, people repeatedly flouted the curfew and other restrictions and staged protests. Clashes between protestors and Indian troops are being reported from all over occupied Kashmir and the leadership of Kashmiris has urged every young, old, men and women to convey to the world that Kashmiris would not accept Indian occupation over their territory and Hindu culture. It is, however, regrettable that the world is not moving beyond expressing concern over human rights violations, which also continue despite raising of voice in favour of Kashmiris by civilized members of the global community. India is least bothered about what the international community says and it has chosen to follow the footsteps of Israel, which remains in violation of UN Resolutions and the will of the world community perpetually as far as the Middle East problem is concerned. Indian actions are aimed at changing the demography of the area, which, in a way, is an admission that the Muslim-dominated Kashmir is not willing to accept the Indian occupation. As pointed out by Prime Minister Imran Khan during his conversation with world leaders, India is guilty of worst type of human rights violations including complete lockdown, blackout on all forms of communication and severe shortage of food and medicine. His observation that intensified Indian repression could result in massive loss of Kashmiri lives is not rhetoric but based on ground realities and the international community must make genuine and urgent efforts to prevent that. People of Pakistan have also expressed their strong commitment to the cause of Kashmiri brethren and in case of existential threat to them, they will not watch the situation silently. There are, therefore, clear risks to peace and the world will have to play its role if it has interest in peace, security and stability of this region as intensification of the conflict would have serious consequences and repercussions for the entire world. As Pakistan and Kashmiris are on the right side, they only need to present their case before the world community in a convincing manner. The UN Security Council took up the Kashmir issue but the outcome of the meeting was not enough to discourage India from pursuing the dangerous path of human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and disregard to the UN Resolutions. Pakistan should work with friendly countries and just minded members of the international community to get sanctions imposed on India for violating UN Charter.
