Daily Times

The disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir, huddled between South Asian nuclear powers India and Pakistan, is a pressing issue that the international community should take up, said speakers at several events on Wednesday held to commemorate the Kashmir Solidarity Day.

“The [United Nations] decisions on Kashmir have been accepted by India, its first leader Jawahar Lal Nehru,” said Burhan Kayaturk, the head of the Turkey-Pakistan Cultural Association, at an event at the Pakistan Embassy International School in the capital Ankara.

Under Nehru’s term, India went to the UN with the Kashmir issue where the international body through several resolutions called for a plebiscite in the region in line with the inhabitants’ right to self-determination.

Pakistan and Kashmiris around the world observe Kashmir Solidarity Day on Feb. 5 every year to extend moral support to people in Indian-administered Kashmir and recognize their legitimate struggle for their rights.

Started by former Jama’at-e-Islami Pakistan chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad, the day was officially adopted by the then government of late Benazir Bhutto in the early 1990s.

Mr. Burhan Kayaturk, President of Turkey-Pakistan Cultural Association and member of Turkish Grand National Assembly said, “Turkey shall always support the cause of the oppressed Kashmiri people.” He referred to Prime Minister Recep Erdogan’s speech in the UN General Assembly where he advocated the early resolution of this long standing dispute for achieving peace and stability in the region. Mr. Burhan stressed that Turkey will continue to play a positive role and shall support efforts aimed at resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

“Lasting peace in Asia is dependent upon the resolution of the Kashmir issue according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people,” said Prof. Dr. Oya Akgonenç, a noted academician and writer. She said Indian forces in the Occupied Kashmir are violating human rights. They are continuously using rape as a weapon of war to curb the indigenous freedom movement of the Kashmiri people, Prof. Dr. Oya added.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey H.E. Mr. Muhammad Haroon Shaukat said Pakistan remains committed to a meaningful, sustained and result-oriented dialogue with India to resolve all outstanding issues, most importantly, the core dispute of Kashmir. He reiterated the unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support of the people and Government of Pakistan to the just struggle of Kashmiri people to safeguard their fundamental rights including their right to self-determination. He acknowledged the tremendous support of the people and Government of Turkey in this regard.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s Anadolu Youth Association (AGD) held demonstrations outside the Indian Embassy in Ankara and its consulate in Istanbul on Wednesday night seeking the right to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Raising pro-Kashmir slogans, the demonstrators demanded that restrictions and communications blockade should immediately be lifted in the disputed region.