LAHORE: PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif has welcomed the UN’s demand for an international investigation into human rights abuses in India-held Kashmir.

“We support the call for establishing a commission for inquiry by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights into human rights violations which asked India to repeal the draconian law — Armed Forces Special Powers Act — in held Kashmir,” Shahbaz said in a statement issued here on Friday.

He said over 6,000 pellet-gun wounds and thousands of maimed Kahsmiris testified to Indian crimes against humanity. “It is an eye-opener for the international community.”

Condemning the alleged killing of Kashmiri journalist and editor of Rising Kashmir,Shujaat Bukhari, in Srinagar, Mr Sharif said Bukhari was killed as he was serving his people with his pen. He demanded an impartial investigation into Bukhari’s killing to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“My prayers are with the bereaved family of Shujaat Bukhari, who remained courageous in his writing.”

The PML-N chief said that on the occasion of Eidul Fitr “our hearts beat in unison with the Kashmiris who have been facing Indian atrocities for their freedom struggle”.

Referring to the Indian army chief’s statement that dialogue was the only solution to resolve the Kashmir dispute, Shahbaz said: “Indian army chief has endorsed Pakistan and PML-N’s point of view as hearts of Kashmiris can’t be won with the use of brute force.”

He assured the Kashmiri people of Pakistan’s unflinching support, saying truth and justice would triumph and the PML-N was committed to preserving, protecting and promoting the Kashmir cause.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2018