Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a rally on Saturday urged world forums, governments and rights bodies to take notice of Indian atrocities in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK).

People from different walks of life including members of civil society, political and social sector, students, lawyers and journalists participated the rally, which began from China Chowk and culminated at National Press Club, Islamabad. Participants of rally were carrying placards and banners with slogans inscribed on them urging the international community to play its due role and fulfil its pledges made with Kashmiri people.

The rally was organised by MUSLIM Institute, a research institute dedicated to promote peace and stability in the Muslim world.

Defence Production Standing Committee Chairman Lieutenant General (r) Abdul Qayyum Malik, Syed Zafar Ali Shah, former ambassador Ishtiaq Ahmad Andurabi, Ghulam Muhammad Saffi, Tahir Sarwar Mir and MUSLIM Institute Coordinator Tahir Mahmood led the rally.

Addressing the gathering, speakers said that India, which claims to be the largest democracy in the world, had killed more than 40 Kashmiris and injured 1,550 to quell the protest against state terrorism. They said that Indian security forces used pellets, air guns and tear gas due to which many protesters lost their eyesight.

Speakers also noted that journalists were not being allowed to visit such areas and mobile and Internet services had also been suspended. They said that India had initiated demographic changes through Hindu settlements, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, and such brutal acts triggered massive protests in the valley. “India was using a propaganda to declare the freedom movement as terrorism but it failed,” they observed.

They said that Pakistanis would continue every kind of political, diplomatic and moral support till freedom from Indian occupying forces. They also condemned enforcement of draconian laws in Occupied Kashmir by India to suppress the demand for self-determination.

The participants also admired strong will of Kashmiris to confront torment and illegal detention by India.

“Kashmir was not a religious, geographical or linguistic dispute but an issue of basic human rights. Kashmir issue should be resolved in conformity with UNSC resolutions in line with the will of people of Kashmir on humanitarian basis and international community should play an effective role for this. The human rights organizations should take notice of flagrant violations of fundamental human rights by Indian state and declare the same as state terrorism,” they highlighted.

They observed that Muslim countries should put diplomatic and political pressure on India to resolve the perennial issue. “Pakistan should also contact and brief the United Nations Security Council on current situation in Kashmir,” they added.