MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly on Monday called upon India to open the Line of Control (LoC) to allow aid to the marooned population of Indian-held Kashmir.

The demand was made through a unanimously adopted resolution, which expressed grave concern over the loss of life and property in held Kashmir and resolved to extend all possible help to the flood-stricken people across the divide.

The resolution noted that while the monsoon-induced flooding had wreaked havoc on both sides of the Himalayan region, Srinagar has been worst hit.

It was noted that India has left the flood affected population of Kashmir in the lurch as thousands remain missing and hundreds of bodies need to be buried. There is also an acute shortage of food and other items.

The resolution called upon the United Nations to immediately intervene to save the lives of the affected people.

It said that the government of Pakistan should request the UN as well as the Indian government to open the ceasefire line (LoC) to allow supply of relief goods for the survivors of the worst ever floods. Additionally it urged the UN to dispatch aid agencies to held Kashmir to play their role in relief and rescue efforts.

Another resolution condemned the sit-ins by the activists of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek in Islamabad, maintaining that they were aimed at destabilising democracy and democratic institutions in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd , 2014