LIKE every year, the entire nation is observing Kashmir Solidarity Day today to express whole hearted support to the just and legitimate struggle of Kashmiri people for their inalienable right to self-determination under UN resolutions. However, this time, the day is being observed at a time when Modi Junta revoked the special status of the occupied territory last August in violation of international norms and laws and since then has imposed an indefinite curfew and communications blackout.
Given these restrictions, nobody can really realize the pain and agony the Kashmiri people are going through. It really goes to the credit of present government especially Prime Minister Imran Khan for vocally and forcefully raising the plight of innocent and oppressed Kashmiri people at the international level, and the result is that voices are now emanating from different quarters including the United States and European Union, voicing concerns over the blatant human rights violations in occupied Kashmir. Also the US President Donald Trump has repeatedly offered mediation on the outstanding dispute. Nonetheless, all this is not bringing any relief to the life of oppressed Kashmiri people. It is really time for the world to go beyond lip service and pressurize India firstly to lift these inhumane restrictions and then move towards the resolution of the dispute as per the UN Security Council Resolutions which accepts the right of self-determination of Kashmiri people. Recently Indian leadership has whipped up the war hysteria to divert world attention from its domestic issues as well as the situation in occupied Kashmir. The world, especially the important capitals, must realize that the Indian jingoism and belligerence poses a grave threat to regional peace and stability and if India is not stopped here, any conflict between the two nuclear neighbours will have disastrous consequences. Pakistan has always desired for the peaceful resolution of all disputes with India through negotiations but India has never reciprocated. The world needs to fulfil the commitments made with the Kashmiri people and take the practical measures to the fulfilment of that promise. Muslim countries should also express solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren. OIC Meeting of the Foreign Ministers as was agreed between Pakistani and Saudi Foreign Ministers during a meeting in Islamabad, should be summoned at the earliest and the organization should adopt punitive measures against India such as boycott of trade with the extremist state until and unless it does not accept the rights of Kashmiri people.
