ISLAMABAD, March 21: The UN resolutions and Kashmiris' right to self-determination cannot be sidelined in talks with India to solve the dispute, member advisory committee of Jammu Kashmir People's Party Sardar Khalid Ibrahim said.
He was speaking at a gathering before commencing on a three- day march to Minar-i-Pakistan, Lahore, to create awareness among decision makers and the people to resolve Kashmir dispute on the basis of UN resolutions.
The march was organized by Jammu Kashmir People's Party here on Sunday. Besides highlighting the political and indigenous character of the Kashmir movement, the three-day march would also be a form of protest against the 'changing' stance of the government on the Kashmir cause.
"The government seems to have little knowledge of historical events and has forgotten commitments to support Kashmiris' right to self-determination. The UN resolutions strengthened the case of the freedom struggle in Kashmir and, therefore, these cannot be ignored during talks with India on the matter," Mr Ibrahim said.
He said the UN resolutions must form the basis on which the dispute was to be solved. He said the JKPP, through this self- determination march, wanted to reiterate the resolve of the Kashmiri people to continue their peaceful struggle till they achieved their right to self-determination.
Mr Ibrahim recalled that Kashmiris' resolve to exercise their right to self-determination dated back to 1832, when they were skinned alive for resisting transfer of their territory to Dogras by Sikh rulers.
"The ongoing freedom struggle, wherein 80,000 Kashmiris had laid down their lives was a continuation of 1832, 1931 and 1947 movements and conveyed a clear message that future of Kashmir should be decided in accordance with the wishes of the valley people," Mr Ibrahim added.
The participants of the gathering chanted anti-India slogans and condemned, what they called, the change in the government's approach to solve Kashmir dispute.
The protesters will be joined by several other groups during the march from various places like Mandra, Sohawa, Dina, Jehlum, Gujranwala and Gujrat. Activists of several political parties from Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Plandri and Rawalakot will also join the march.
