In his recent address to the United Nations General Assembly’s Special Political and Decolonization Committee, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram, passionately and rightly highlighted the enduring suffering of the people of Kashmir. His call for immediate attention to the Kashmir dispute, in line with Security Council resolutions and the Kashmiri people’s wishes, echoes a longstanding concern for justice and peace in the region.
Since 1946, numerous former colonies have gained their independence, yet there are still peoples who are denied the fundamental right to self-determination. Foremost among them are the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.
Munir Akram emphasized the explicit recognition of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination in UNSC Resolution 47 and subsequent resolutions, all of which advocate for a free and fair plebiscite under UN auspices to determine the future of the region.
The Kashmir issue has been a source of conflict between Pakistan and India for over seven decades. Indian obstinacy and refusal to recognize it as a core issue have allowed this wound to fester. Ambassador Akram wisely stressed that without addressing the Kashmir issue, lasting peace in the subcontinent remains an elusive and distant dream.
Akram’s speech powerfully highlighted India’s non-compliance with UN resolutions and its brutal campaign of repression, resulting in the loss of countless lives. Since August 5, 2019, India has taken unilateral and illegal steps in annexing occupied Kashmir, a move deemed a “Final Solution” by its leaders. Resolution 122 (1957) of the Security Council explicitly rejects such unilateral actions.
Today, Kashmir remains one of the most densely occupied places globally, with a staggering number of Indian troops deployed in the region. Reports of extrajudicial killings, abductions and enforced disappearances paint a harrowing picture of life in the region. It is a humanitarian crisis that demands international attention and resolution.
The current state of Pakistan-India relations can be characterized as neither peace nor war. High levels of mistrust, exacerbated by India’s actions in 2019, have dimmed prospects for lasting peace. Nevertheless, Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to highlighting the Kashmir dispute at the UN is a testament to its dedication to the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
Ambassador Akram’s address at the UN serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address the Kashmir dispute. His plea for a peaceful settlement, rooted in UN resolutions and the Kashmiri people’s aspirations, should resonate with the international community as a call for justice, peace, and the realization of the fundamental right to self-determination for the people of Kashmir.
