Islamabad: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari slammed the international community for “turning a blind eye” to India’s brutality in Kashmir. He said it was “not wise to sacrifice timeless principles for short-term interests”.
“Today, I ask the world if a country can allowed to renege on its solemn commitments to the United Nations. Break its own promises and blatantly violate international law just because they want to”. He told the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
I must underscore that UN Security Council resolutions are sacred. They not influenced by a jingoistic political party or time.”
The foreign minister’s remarks come as a G20 tourism working group gathers in IIOJK for the first international event since India’s August 5 annexation.
He said India was “misusing” its G20 chairship by hosting the event in occupied territory, which was disputed under international law. “This is yet another display of India’s arrogance on the world stage.”
He said IIOJK has become an open-air prison with thousands of Kashmiri Muslims slaughtered, disappeared, or blinded, their lands stolen and properties razed, and their culture destroyed.
Moreover, He stated India’s severe laws were allowing the invading forces’ personnel to commit crimes. This horrible chronic and systemic Indian cruelty violates international law and mocks fundamental human rights.
“One cannot wax lyrical about international law and the United Nations Security Council resolutions in Europe in the European context, and then turn a blind eye to the violation of the same international law in the Kashmiri context,” he said.
The foreign minister stressed that Pakistan has to resolve the Kashmir problem.
“My presence here today is a testimony of our nation’s intergenerational support and lasting commitment to the Kashmir cause,” Bilawal addressed the parliament.
Relationship with Neighbours
Pakistan wanted excellent relations with all its neighbours, including India, but “dispute denialism” would not work. He urged India to engage in conversation, saying it remained antagonistic.
Moreover, Terrorism and freedom-seeking are distinct. “Terrorism cannot be used to deny Kashmiris their fundamental rights and freedoms,” he said.
He urged the international community to urge India to restore occupied Kashmir’s special status that it had prior to August 5, 2019; implement the relevant UNSC resolutions; assure that it will not change the occupied territory’s demographic composition and not allow non-Kashmiris to acquire property or residency; halt its human rights violations; repeal its draconian emergency laws; and withdraw its heavy military presence through Kashmiri cities, towns, and villages.
I pledge Pakistan’s moral, diplomatic, and political support to Kashmiris. “We have stood by them for decades, and I assure you that we will stand until our Kashmiri brethren achieve their legitimate rights,” Bilawal ended.
