PESHAWAR
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly passed a joint resolution unanimously on Sunday to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir, highlighting ongoing human rights violations by Indian forces.
The resolution was presented by Law Minister Aftab Alam Afridi, Mushtaq Ghani, along with members Ahmed Kundi of PPP, Abdul Salam Afridi PTI, and others.
The assembly condemned the Indian government’s actions in occupied Kashmir, saying that over the past 75 years, more than 100,000 people have lost their lives due to violence and oppression.
The resolution pointed out that around 25,000 women have become widows, and millions of children have been orphaned as a result of the conflict.
It emphasized that India maintains an occupying status in Kashmir, asserting that no political process can serve as a substitute for the right to self-determination.
The assembly also denounced the deployment of over 900,000 Indian troops in Kashmir and the imposition of oppressive laws.
In a tribute to the martyrs of Kashmir, the assembly expressed respect for their sacrifice and called upon the international community to take notice of these atrocities.
It urged India to revoke its illegal actions taken on August 5, 2019, and reaffirmed the need for the Kashmiris to be allowed to determine their future in accordance with United Nations resolutions.
The resolution concluded with a strong message of support for the Kashmiri people, reaffirming the assembly’s commitment to standing with them in their struggle for rights and justice.
Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly organized a walk at the Flag Point to observe Black Day for Kashmir, with Deputy Speaker Suraya Bibi in chair, ministers, and assembly members in attendance.
Participants raised their voices in solidarity with the Kashmiri people, demanding that their rights be upheld in accordance with United Nations resolutions.
The event highlighted ongoing human rights violations in the region and called for increased international attention and action.
The walk served as a reminder of the struggles faced by Kashmiris and reinforced the assembly’s commitment to advocating for their rights and self-determination.
The chair adjourned the assembly proceedings till Monday October 28, at 3pm.
Kashmiris in KP observe Black Day
Like other provinces and both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), the Kashmiris living in Khyber Pakthunkhwa observed Kashmir black day on Sunday.
They raised banners and placards to condemn the illegal occupation of Jummu and Kashmir by India on October 27, 1947.
From Chitral to Khyber and Waziristan to Kohistan, Kashmiris settled in all districts of Khyber Pakthunkhwa staged protest demonstrations, walks and rallies to strongly condemn the illegal annexation of Kashmir 77 years ago by India which was sheer violation of Indo-Pakistan patrician plan and UN Charter.
Besides rallies and seminars, photo exhibitions was held, highlighting Indian forces’ war crimes and human rights abuses.
Similarly, debate competitions on different aspects of the lingering issue of Kashmir and significance of UN Security Council’s resolutions organized in schools and colleges of Khyber Pakthunkhwa.
Transporters and Rickshaw unions staged protest rallies in front of press club in connection with the black day.
Professor Dr Ejaz Khan, former Chairman, International relations Department at University of Peshawar said that India went against Indo-Pakistan’s partition plan after illegally landing its troops in Srinagar on October 27, 1947 that was widely condemned by the international community.
He said Kashmirs stood up against India’s illegal occupation and launched the freedom movement that led to independence of Azad Kashmir.
On August 5, 2019, he said India had made a deep-rooted conspiracy to rob Kashmiris of their history, language and ethno-cultural identity after abolishing the special status of IIOJK.
He said Indian occupation forces’ continued oppression, human rights abuses and organized state terrorism at IIOJK were one of the root causes of an indigenous freedom movement in the held valley that was virtually turned into the world’s largest jail in modern history.
He said India can’t change IIOJK autonomous status unilaterally in presence of UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and the illegal acts of the fascist Modi Govt taken on August 5, 2019 were neither endorsed by the UNSC nor by any foreign country.
He said the Hinduvata regime was now repenting after internationalizing the Kashmir dispute that put peace in South Asia at stake.
Dr Ejaz said the strategic stability has been threatened by India as it continues to receive abundant supply of conventional and non conventional weapons, adding the unprecedented increase in India’s military budget and expenditures in recent years have characterized the global security landscape as grim.
He said the illegal occupation of Kashmir valley by India negated multiple articles of the 30 fundamental human rights of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) drafted by representatives from all the regions of the world including India on December 10, 1948 and subsequently was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
“This declaration was applied to all the signatory members of the UN including India and restrained them from all kinds of abuses, exploitation, maltreatment and violence besides violation of any fundamental rights protected in UDHR.”
He urged international community to look beyond trade and business interests and step forward with collective action to stop genocide of oppressed Kashmiris besides pressurize Modi government to reverse all its illegal actions of August 5, 2019 and give right of self-determination to them for lasting peace and stability in South Asia.
