LAHORE: The clamping of curfew and unfolding humanitarian disaster in India-held Kashmir has entered the 20th day and the world’s silence on the issue is becoming deafening by the day, says Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) emir Senator Sirajul Haq.

In a statement issued from the JI headquarter here on Friday, Mr Haq said the reports of the shortage of food and life-saving drugs from the valley were gaining momentum and jeopardizing the lives of thousands of Kashmiri, including children and woman.

These reports are those pouring in sporadically despite complete complete commutation barrier and actual situation could be much worse.

He said the people of Kashmir would never give up their struggle for freedom. The brutal tactics of occupied forces have failed to repress the uprising in Kashmir, said Siraj, adding that the world must shun its silence now and raise voice in support of the people of Kashmir.

He said after annexation of the Kashmir on August 5, India deployed thousands of additional troops in the valley which was already a most militarized zone. But, New Delhi’s tactics failed to achieve the desired results despite curfew, communication blackout and putting the entire Kashmiri leadership in jails.

“The Occupied Kashmir has been turned into the world’s largest prison,” he claimed.

The JI chief demanded that the government take practical and bold step on the Kashmir issue. He said the people of Kashmir were looking towards Pakistan while Islamabad was awaiting help from the US for the solution of the Kashmir dispute. Those expecting Washington’s help for the solution of the Kashmir dispute were living in a fool’s paradise.

He paid tribute to the struggle of Kashmiri people against Indian occupation and reminded them that people of Pakistan were standing with them in this testing moment. He said the JI was conducting a rally in Peshawar on Aug 25 and in Karachi on Sept 1 to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

Also, naib emir Liaqat Baloch has said that Islamabad is not fighting its case on economy at world forums with full preparation. Talking to different delegations, he said bad reports were coming from regional groups of the FATF which was a matter of concern from the every Pakistani.

He, however, added that it was high time that the government should start focusing on indigenous resources as the country had lot of potential to stand on its foot without foreign assistance.

Mr Baloch expressed concerns over the Kashmir situation and demanded the government and the world arrange food and medicines for the people of the valley amid the impending humanitarian crisis.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2019