Daily Times

WASHINGTON: A large number of people from across the United States held a peaceful demonstration to support the right of self-determination for Kashmiri people in Washington where world leaders of over 50 countries were gathered to discuss nuclear security.

Holding placards inscribed with slogans, the demonstrators reminded the world leaders that Kashmir is a disputed territory between Pakistan and India, two nuclear powers in the South Asian region, and has implication for the world peace. They demanded the world leaders to resolve this “nuclear flashpoint”. People came from various states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, to assemble outside the venue of the three-day Nuclear Security Summit to draw world attention to the issue which has caused wars between Pakistan and India.

The placards read: ‘Kashmir: Nuclear flashpoint’; ‘Time to resolve the Kashmir dispute is now’; ‘Freedom for all: Freedom for Kashmir’; ‘Kashmiris demand right of self-determination’; ‘India: Stop human rights violations in Kashmir.’ ‘Road to Kabul Runs Through Kashmir.

The participants highlighted that Kashmir was at the brink of a potential nuclear holocaust and remains a root cause of tension between Pakistan and India. They said that the instability in South Asian region has implications for the world peace and put the lives of over a billion people at stake. “All those leaders attending the Nuclear Summit and those who are interested in the world peace are urged to persuade both India and Pakistan to help resolve the Kashmir dispute for the sake of international peace and security,” said Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness, while addressing the rally. Kashmiri American Council President Dr Imtiaz Khan said Kashmir was the bone of contention of nuclear tension between India and Pakistan.