Nawaz urges US, Britain to play role for end to violence in IoK

UNITED NATIONS: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday held separate meetings with British PM Theresa May and US Secretary of State John Kerry and urged them to play their role in convincing India to stop brutal use of force in the Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOK).

The people of Jammu and Kashmir must be allowed to choose their destiny and that the longstanding resolutions of the UN Security Council on the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people need to be implemented, he stated, during his meeting with May here in New York.

"If the international community does not succeed in asking India to immediately end state oppression on the innocent people in Jammu & Kashmir, then this would encourage India to increase the intensity of the continuing state atrocities," he remarked.

Highlighting the rapidly deteriorating situation in IoK, the prime minister said that Pakistan's support for Kashmiri people in their just and legitimate struggle for self-determination and their commitment to the Kashmir cause was absolutely non-negotiable.

"We will not disappoint our Kashmiri brethren at any cost and we will keep on reminding the international community of its decades-old commitments that have not been honored till today," he maintained.

The premier said gross human rights violations and brutal state oppression in occupied Kashmir were at their peak. "It was the duty of the international community to ask India to immediately end state atrocities on innocent and defenseless Kashmiri people," he emphasized.

On the occasion, Ms Theresa May appreciated Pakistan's role in eradicating terrorism and extremism from the country.

The British prime minister lauded the economic turnaround achieved by the present democratic government achieving growth targets and putting the country on the path of development. She also acknowledged Pakistan's role in bringing lasting peace to Afghanistan.

To which, PM Nawaz Sharif responded saying that a stable and prosperous Afghanistan was in the interest of his country.

While discussing issues of bilateral significance at the meeting, the British prime minister especially appreciated the constructive role of Pakistani diaspora in the economic development of the United Kingdom.

Adviser to the PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry were also present on the occasion.

Meeting with Secretary Kerry

Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called on US Secretary of State John Kerry and discussed global and regional issues.

The Prime Minister in his meeting highlighted the abuse of human rights in the Indian Occupied Kashmir by Indian occupant forces. 

Prime Minister Sharif said that more than 107 people have been assasinated in Indian Occupied Kashmir, thousands injured and worst human rights violations are being committed at the state level. “I still remember President Clinton's promise that US will play its role to help out in resolving bilateral disputes and issues between Pakistan and India”, the Prime Minister said.

“I expect US Administration and Secretary Kerry to use his good offices to help in resolving bilateral issues between Pakistan and India,” the Prime Minister added. 

The Prime Minister while recalling his constructive meetings with the US President during the last three years emphasised that strong relations between Pakistan and the United States remain a mutual desire and this partnership is critical to ensure regional peace and stability.

The Prime Minister apprised Secretary Kerry of the successes against terrorism, particularly Operation Zarb-e-Azb that has broken the back bone of terrorists.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif stressed the need for meaningful engagement with Afghanistan.

Secretary Kerry appreciated the efforts of the armed forces of Pakistan, security institutions and police in rooting out terrorism and extremism. Secretary Kerry said that Pakistan and Afghanistan have mutual interests concerning regional peace and security.

The meeting was also attended by PM’s advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz, US special representative Richard Olson and Pakistan’s representative to United Nations Dr. Maleeha Lodhi.

PM writes to P5 against Indian atrocities in IoK

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday called on the permanent members of the United Nations demanding that India should be forced to stop its brutalities in Occupied Kashmir.

The Prime Minister, who is currently in New York to attend 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, wrote letters to the Security Council’s P5 members (US, UK, Russia, China, France). He stated in his letters that the UN’s resolutions should be put to implementation concerning the Kashmir issue.

The Foreign Ministry’s press release said, “While highlighting the violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws in the IOK, the Prime Minister has called upon the permanent members of the Security Council to fulfil their responsibility with regard to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which is one of the oldest internationally recognized unresolved disputes on the agenda of the UN Security Council.”

“ Despite the passage of more than 68 years since the adoption of multiple resolutions, the people of Jammu and Kashmir still await the implementation of these resolutions which promised them the right to self-determination to be exercised through the holding of a free and impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices,” the press release mentioned.

“The letters emphasise the extremely negative implications of the dire situation in the IOK, on regional, as well as international peace and security,” the statement read.

The prime minister also stated in the letter that continuation and lack of solution for the Kashmir dispute is a persistent source of regional tension and instability, posing a threat to international peace.

With Kashmir high on his agenda Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had arrived in New York Sunday afternoon to lead the Pakistani delegation at the UNGA session, where he would enunciate Islamabad’s position on key global and regional issues before one of the largest gatherings of leaders from around the world.

Reaction to Indian atrocities

Speaking at a press briefing later in the day, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said that the reaction to Indian atrocities will keep surfacing in the occupied Kashmir.

"India cannot contain the momentum in occupied Kashmir and that incendiary statements by the Indian leadership were threatening regional peace," Chaudhry said while briefing newsmen on PM Nawaz Sharif's meetings with world leaders and calls for intervention to stop human rights abuses in IoK.

Pakistan has always wished and strived for the establishment of peace, yet its leadership and the masses know well how to defend their country," he added.