IT is heartening to note that more and more voices in the Mus
lim world are now coming up explicitly to denounce the Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir and to support Pakistan’s stance on resolution of the lingering dispute in the light of UNSC resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people.
Iraq is the latest country that has extended its support to the plight of Kashmiri people. Its delegation headed by Leader of Islamic Supreme Council Dr Hamam Hamoudi is on a visit to Pakistan these days. During wide ranging interaction with the leadership of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and the elected representatives on Monday, the Iraqi Supreme Council leader in unequivocal terms supported Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir dispute saying the world community should use its influence on India to get stopped atrocities in the occupied valley. He also condemned the use of pellet guns by Indian forces against the armless innocent Kashmiri people. Hamam Hamoudi is also scheduled to visit Azad Kashmir which will provide him an opportunity to distinguish for himself the situation prevailing in the divided Kashmir.
In fact the Indian atrocities on innocent Kashmiris are no longer a secret as these have been well documented in several international reports including the two reports of UN Human Rights Commissioner. It is also not the first time that a foreign leader has spoken highly for the rights of Kashmiri people. Azerbaijan as well as Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have consistently been raising voice for the right of self-determination of Kashmiri people. Kashmir indeed has assumed the status of an international dispute and it will not be possible for the so-called human rights champions to turn their back to this dispute any further. Support for Kashmiri people from the Muslim world has also perturbed India which is now using cheap tactics to undermine it. Anyway it is time our Foreign Office and the political leadership raise the dispute more proactively at international forums including during bilateral meetings with foreign leaders. We will rather suggest that ‘Friends of Kashmir Forum’ should be established and the countries supporting the cause of Kashmiri people should be made part of it which definitely compel India to move towards the resolution of Kashmir dispute. This forum can be made a success with the help of expatriate Pakistani and Kashmiri communities both in Muslim and the Western worlds.
