ISLAMABAD:The MUSLIM Institute (research based think tank) organized a seminar titled “Accession of Junagadh to Pakistan: An Analysis” at National Library, Islamabad on Thursday.
Speakers at the round table discussion stressed that Pakistan should carry on the Junagadh issue and fight it on international forums. The Indian occupation of Junagadh is illegal and violation of instrument of accession that Nawab of Junagadh signed with Pakistan. DNA Reported.
The issue of Junagadh is still legally genuine at international level because instrument of accession is still intact. Outstanding issue of Junagadh state should be raised at international forums. Pakistani nation should not forget their claim of the territory of Junagadh and commitment made with Nawab of Junagadh.
The prominent among those who addressed the event included the Nawab of Junagadh State Nawab Jahangir Khan, Former Minister for Law Ahmer Bilal Soofi, Chairman MUSLIM Institute Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali, Former Ambassador Ishtiaq Ahmad Andrabi, Former Ambassador Aamir Anwar Shadani, Dept. of Politics & IR, QAU Dr. Nazir Hussain, Dept. of History, QAU Dr. Farooq Ahmad Dar and Associate Dean CPCS NUST, Dr. Tughral Yamin.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Tughral Yamin said, “In case of Junagadh, there is clear letter of accession by Nawab of Junagadh with Pakistan. Actually Hindu mentality is never ready to accept the division and it is form of colonization in 21st Century. On international level this case is unique legal study as Nawab of Junagadh has lost the territory but has all legal rights.”
He said, “The issue is present in UN and Pakistan has all moral and legal rights to defend the case. Issue of Junagadh remained active part of our politics, policy and education curriculum for initial few decades.” After shifting of Pakistan’s capital to Islamabad, the issue was gradually lost in history and also lost interest in Pakistan which has impacted the progress of this case in UN.Now the issue is forgotten in realpolitik and international arena, he added.
At the time of division, British India had 562 states and Junagadh was 5 th largest state with respect to revenue generation. It was having its own systems e.g. army and other infrastructure. It was a welfare state at that time, he said.
According to June 3 Plan, Nawab Mahabbat Khan signed instrument of accession with the then Governor General of Pakistan, Quaid-e- Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Pakistani flag was raised there. This decision by Nawab of Junagadh was taken after consultation of state council of Junagadh which was including Hindus and Muslims both.
When Nawab came to Karachi for settlement of different matters with Quaid-i- Azam, civil disorder was created in Junagadh by India and making it an excuse for security cancers, Indian forces occupied it while the Nawab was in Pakistan for discussion with Quaid. After occupation by Indian forces, the question of arranging plebiscite there was irrelevant due to presence of occupied forces.Quaid-e- Azam then sent the case to UN.
