Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday appreciated and thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for raising his voice in support of Kashmiri people during his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). In his Twitter message, Prime Minister said that Turkey’s firm support remains a source of strength for the Kashmiris in their rightful struggle for self determination. “Deeply appreciate President Erdogan once again raising his voice in support of the rights of the Kashmiri people during his address to UNGA. Turkey’s unwavering support remains a source of strength for the Kashmiris in their legitimate struggle for self determination,” PM tweeted . Addressing the 75th session of the UN General Assembly via video link, the Turkish president said that Kashmir conflict is a burning issue and a key to maintain stability and peace in South Asia. “The Kashmir conflict, which is also the key to stability and peace in South Asia, is still a burning issue. Steps taken for the abolition of special status of Jammu and Kashmir further complicated the problem. We are in favor of resolving this issue from dialogue within the framework of UN resolutions and in line with the aspirations of people of Kashmir,”
Erdogan said. India on August 05, 2019 in a unilateral move abrogated Articles 370 and 35A granting special status to occupied Kashmir. The move was followed by imposition of curfew and communication blackout in the valley still intact after four months. On October 31, 2019 India formally divided the stat
e of Jammu and Kashmir in to two new federally-administered territories as per the constitutional changes approved by the Indian par
liament on August 5. According to the new arrangement, the occupied Kashmir is divided into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, which borders China. The two new union territories are now ruled directly from the capital Delhi. As per Indian constitution, union territories have far less autonomy from the federal government than states do. Pakistan has, ever since, been raising its voice against Indian atrocities and gross human rights violations in Kashmir. Prime Minister Imran Khan also, in his historic speech at UNGA session last year, also highlighted how India has illegally imposed curfew and lockdown in the valley. He also warned the world that the worst humanitarian crisis could unfold in Kashmir followed by a possibility of war between the two nuclear states. Even the international media, on several occasions, has highlighted the deteriorating situation in Kashmir resulting from the persistent curfew and lockdown.
