India Indulging In State Terrorism Against Kashmiris: Masood Khan

WASHINGTON, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News -27th Sep,2016) : President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan has called upon the international community, especially the United States, to help bring an immediate end to the reign of terror unleashed on innocent freedom loving Kashmiris.

The AJK President participated in an interactive section with the media at the National Press Club, Washington DC, said a press release issued on Tuesday. Drawing the attention towards the horrendous human rights violations being committed by Indian security forces, Masood Khan lamented the silence of the powerful nations over the loss of hundreds of Kashmiri lives and thousand of serious injuries.

He reminded the international community of their responsibility to honour their commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to get them their inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in successive UNSC resolutions and agreed to by both India and Pakistan.

He emphasized that the United States should respond to the present situation in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) in line with its rich political and ideological ethos, and respect for human rights and national freedoms.

He categorically rejected Indian allegations against Pakistan of supporting terrorism and highlighted that it was not humanly possible to breach the fence that India had erected throughout the Line of Control.

The AJK President said that India was indulging in state terrorism and human rights violations in IOK and simultaneously falsely blaming Pakistan for the Uri attack. Pakistan was only extending diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiris which it was bound to do by its international obligations and the UNSC resolutions.

Masood Khan highlighted the centrality of Jammu and Kashmir dispute, saying that only a peaceful resolution of this dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir could bring lasting peace in the region.

Responding to a question about Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Sawaraj's anti-Pakistan remarks at the United Nations General Assembly, he condemned the myopic Indian stance. India had absolutely no business interfering in Pakistan's internal affairs, he said.

He reminded India that while Balochistan was a province of Pakistan, Kashmir was an internationally recognized disputed territory, therefore, it was absolutely unacceptable to equate the two. The AJK President said Kashmir should not be seen as a symbol of discord between India and Pakistan.

Kashmiris should be rather seen as ambassadors of peace and stability in South Asia, and all efforts should be directed to stop Indian atrocities in the IOK and help Kashmiris win their right to self-determination, he added.