ISLAMABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan on Sunday called for unity and a unanimous narrative to effectively respond to the situation in India-held Jammu and Kashmir.

He expressed these views while addressing the All Parties National Conference on Kashmir under the aegis of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front.

Leaders and representatives of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Muslim Conference, Liberation Front, Liberation League and others attended the conference.

In his address, PM Haider stressed the need to evolve a well thought-out strategy following practical steps to counter the Indian narrative at the international fora.

He added that the present situation demands the Kashmiri leadership to plead their case of right to self determination by themselves appraising world through a unanimous narrative that India had usurped fundamental rights of Kashmiris and its armed forces were committing massive human rights violations in the held Valley to suppress their indigenous freedom movement.

PM Haider said: “I’m quite confident that the Kashmiri leadership is fully capable to defeat Indian narrative at all available global forums.” He said unity among the Kashmiri diaspora was imperative to highlight the Kashmir cause and earn unequivocal support from the international community.

The AJK prime minister expressed grave concern over the nefarious motives of Indian authorities regarding detention of Yasin Malik and urged Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Pakistani government to play their effective role in the deteriorating situation. He said he was writing a letter to the UN secretary general to ensure fair trial for Yasin Malik.

Condemning the communal mindset of the Modi regime for passing the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill, he said that the controversial bill was a blatant discrimination not only against Muslims but also other minorities.

The AJK prime minister said the purpose of the in-camera session of the legislative assembly was to discuss the latest situation in held Kashmir.

Elected representatives of all political parties would get chance to talk about it, he added.

PM Haider assured the political leadership that his party would fully support the decisions of the political leadership of the state.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2019