ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday Pakistan would always stand by Kashmiris and continue to expose fascist designs of the Indian government against Muslims at all international forums.

“We will continue to support our Kashmiris even if the whole world does not,” the prime minister said on his arrival from the United States at Islamabad International Airport. He was given a rousing welcome by leaders and workers of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

People carrying flags of Pakistan and India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, banners and placards thronged the newly constructed airport.

They were chanting slogans, including “Imran Teray Janisar, Beshumar Beshumar and Hamari Aan Hamari Shan, Imran Khan Imran Khan”.

Imran given rousing welcome by cheering PTI workers on return from US

Prime Minister Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi returned to Islamabad after a successful trip to the US where they attended the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and vehemently fought the case of Kashmiris and Muslim ummah.

The prime minister’s memorable speech at the UN General Assembly focused on four major issues — Kashmir and illegal Indian occupation, Islamophobia, climate change and money laundering.

Banners and posters praising Imran Khan and others for highlighting the plight of Kashmiris in the held valley were put up at the Islamabad airport and on main thoroughfares of the city.

Clad in blue shalwar kameez and coat, the prime minister was welcomed by the crowd with a loud cheer when he made his way to the main hall.

“It is a jihad to stand by innocent Kashmiris because they are going through the worst tyranny [at the hands of 900,000 brutal Indian armed forces personnel],” PM Khan said while addressing a large gathering at the airport.

He said that more than eight million Kashmiris, including women and children, had been stranded in their own houses for over 55 days due to curfew in the occupied valley, adding that he was an ambassador of Kashmiris and would continue to expose fascist designs of what he called the anti-Muslim government of India at all forums of the world.

The prime minister asked the nation not to be disappointed in case of any ups and downs during the struggle for Kashmiris’ rights because all Kashmiris were looking up to Pakistan and its people for help. “Ups and downs, good and bad times always come during any struggle, but you don’t need to be disappointed. Man can only struggle, success or failure depends on Allah Almighty.”

He asked the people to remember that Pakistan was standing by Kashmiris. “Whether the world stands by Kashmiris or not, Pakistan is standing by them.

“Ghabrana naheen hai [you don’t have to worry]. I have always told my aides who have been with me for over 30 years that man makes efforts but success is given by Him [Allah Almighty],” he added.

At the beginning of his speech, the prime minister thanked the nation for supporting and praying for his and his team’s success at the UNGA session. “First of all, I thank my nation. The way you prayed for me, for us, enabled us to present the Kashmir’s case before the UN.”

The prime minister also highlighted the concern and prayers of his wife who accompanied him during his visit to Saudi Arabia. “I especially thank Bushra Bibi [the first lady] because she prayed a lot for us,” he said.

Earlier, senior PTI leaders, including Pervez Khattak, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Asad Umar and Imran Ismail welcomed PM Khan and Foreign Minister Qureshi at the airport.

The prime minister is expected to visit Azad Kashmir to express solidarity with the earthquake-affected people.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2019