MUZAFFARABAD: The parliamentary party of ruling Peoples Party in Azad Jammu and Kashmir has condemned the “unprovoked and indiscriminate” Indian shelling on unarmed and innocent civilian populations along the Line of Control.

They have asked the international community to take stock of India’s aggression that had threatened the regional peace.

The parliamentary party, which met with Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed in the chair, paid tributes to the vulnerable populations for showing remarkable stoicism as well as to the armed forces of Pakistan for their role for the security and stability of the country.

It reaffirmed the resolve of Kashmiris that they stood by Pakistan and its armed forces, fighting a common enemy.

According to an official handout, the parliamentary party expressed grief and sorrow over the huge physical and material losses in held Kashmir due to the recent floods and condemned India’s ‘criminal act’ of leaving the marooned Kashmiris in the lurch and instead rescued its soldiers, foreigners and favourites.

It paid tributes to the Kashmiri youth for rejecting India’s aid and instead carrying out rescue operations by themselves in a heroic manner, notwithstanding lack of requisite resources.

It also condemned the use of brute force by the Indian government in the held Valley on Eidul Azha and asked the global human rights watchdogs to take notice of barbarism unleashed by the occupation forces.

The parliamentary party paid tributes to the PPP chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, for “reflecting the national sentiments by adopting a categorical and unambiguous stance on Kashmir issue.

“The statement of party chairman on Kashmir is the continuation of the philosophy, vision and strategy of his grandfather Zulfikar Ali Bhutto which was nurtured by his mother Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto with her blood,” it said.

The parliamentary party acknowledged what it said concerted efforts of Prime Minister Majeed in uniting the AJK’s political and religious leadership as well as Pakistan-based representatives of APHC under the banner of All Party Kashmir Coordination Council for collaborative actions to highlight Kashmir issue at home and abroad.

It also reviewed steps to ensure maximum participation of Kashmiris in the October 18 public meeting in Karachi.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2014