British lawmakers agree to continue work for alleviation of suffering faced by Kashmiris

Published September 5, 2019
High Commissioner Mohammad Nafees Zakaria briefing the British Parliamentarians on the humanitarian crisis in India-occupied Kashmir at the British Parliament on Wednesday. — Pakistan High Commission in London
High Commissioner Mohammad Nafees Zakaria briefing the British Parliamentarians on the humanitarian crisis in India-occupied Kashmir at the British Parliament on Wednesday. — Pakistan High Commission in London

British parliamentarians on Wednesday "agreed to continue to work towards ensuring the alleviation of suffering faced by the Kashmiri people", a statement by the Pakistan High Commission in London said.

High Commissioner Mohammad Nafees Zakaria held a closed meeting in the House of Commons in London with a large number of UK parliamentarians facilitated by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir (APPKG).

The lawmakers acknowledged that the Kashmir issue is an internationally recognised dispute and awaits the implementation of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

They "noted with concern the tragic situation of human rights" as well as the blockade imposed by India which has led to a "severe humanitarian, political and security crisis in the occupied territory," read the handout.

In the briefing given by him, the high commissioner highlighted how India has been "perpetuating grave human rights violations in the occupied territory unabatedly and with impunity".

He underscored that the complete lockdown in India-occupied Kashmir for 31 days "with no communication with the outside world, and the reports of killings, abductions, illegal detentions, rape and use of pellet guns against the defenceless Kashmiris was a matter of deep concern".

Zakaria also stressed that since media access was virtually non existent in the region, "the actual scale of atrocities could be much more given the Indian track record of torture, killings in fake encounters, forced disappearances, and other inhuman treatment".

He decried such human rights violations taking place in the 21st century "by a so-called world's largest democracy".

The high commissioner briefing a large number of British parliamentarians at the House of Commons in London on Wednesday. — Pakistan High Commission in London
The high commissioner briefing a large number of British parliamentarians at the House of Commons in London on Wednesday. — Pakistan High Commission in London

According to the statement, the high commissioner "lauded all the British parliamentarians for becoming a voice for the oppressed people" of the occupied territory and urged "an immediate and unconditional end to the bloodshed of Kashmiris".

He further laid emphasis on the need for the delivery of justice to the Kashmiri people and "accountability of the perpetrators as demanded by international human rights bodies". He called upon the NGOs of international repute and members of the civil society, such as OHCHR, IPHRC, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, US Human Rights Report on India and International People’s Tribunal to play their due role in the matter.

The High Commissioner reiterated Pakistan's resolve to continue to stand with the oppressed Kashmiris and extend its moral, political and diplomatic support to them for the "realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination". He said Pakistan will do everything in its capacity to ensure delivery of justice to the Kashmiris.

"Both sides agreed to build upon the conversation and charting a way forward to bring an end to the ongoing human tragedy," the statement concluded by saying.

Opinion

Editorial

Running on empty
Updated 22 Mar, 2025

Running on empty

World Water Day should remind country’s rulers that water crisis threatens the very survival of our future generations.
Another ultimatum
22 Mar, 2025

Another ultimatum

THESE are fraught times, but the government must still find it in its heart to be a little more accommodating....
Muzzled voices
22 Mar, 2025

Muzzled voices

A NEW era of censorship is upon us. The FIA’s arrest of journalist and founder of media agency Raftar, Farhan...
Personal priorities
Updated 21 Mar, 2025

Personal priorities

Pet projects launched by govt often found to be poorly conceived, ripe for exploitation, misaligned with country’s overall development priorities.
Inheritance rights
21 Mar, 2025

Inheritance rights

THE Federal Shariat Court’s ruling that it is un-Islamic to deprive a woman of her right to inheritance is a...
Anti-Muslim actions
21 Mar, 2025

Anti-Muslim actions

MUSLIMS in India have endured incessant scrutiny of their nationalism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ...