NEW YORK
\nHighlighting India\u2019s \u201cbrutal\u201d military siege of Jammu and Kashmir, now in its 3rd year, Pakistan\u2019s UN Ambassador Munir Akram has said that Islamabad will continue to raise Kashmir\u2019s call for liberation at the United Nations and in all forums.
\n\u201cWe stand firmly with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their struggle for right to self-determination and freedom,\u201d he said in a video message to the Pakistani community released Sunday to mark Pakistan\u2019s Independence Day.
\nAt the same time, the Pakistani envoy said, \u201cThe foresight of Quaid-e-Azam in advancing the rationale for the creation of Pakistan is being emphatically validated today in the repression of the Muslims who live in India. \u201cThey face organized state repression, shrinking social space and usurpation of their fundamental rights as the BJP-RSS government seeks to eliminate the Islamic legacy in India and re-write history to elaborate the great contributions of its Muslim rulers and dynasties.\u201d
\n\u201cOur founding fathers\u201d, he said, \u201cfaced vigorous opposition and secured Pakistan through determination, resolve, wisdom and democratic struggle. Hundreds of thousands of our brothers and sisters sacrificed their lives just to reach their promised homeland; to fulfill their dream of nationhood and liberty.
\n\u201cWe must never forget their heroism; their ideals; and their sacrifice,\u201d Ambassador Akram said, adding to honour them, \u201cWe must preserve and build Pakistan into a strong, modern, democratic Islamic State where all can prosper and no one is left behind.
\n\u201cWe must reaffirm the pledge to pursue and realize the vision of the Quaid.\u201d As regards the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said that they are part of Pakistan\u2019s body and soul who have been denied the right to self-determination and freedom by Indian occupation and oppression.
\n\u201cThey have been under a brutal military siege for the past three years. 900,000 Indian troops have unleashed a reign of terror in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resorting to extra-judicial killings; abduction and torture of young Kashmiri boys; and destruction of entire villages and neighborhoods and the illegal incarceration of Kashmiri leaders.\u201d
\nDespite many challenges, Ambassador Akram said Pakistan proved itself to be a resilient nation. \u201cWe are a strong nation \u2013 militarily, we possess vast potential for growth and prosperity. We are an influential and important country on the world stage.\u201d
\n\u201cToday,\u201d he said, \u201cwe face great challenges; challenges of security and conflict, the COVID crisis, and the downturn in economy. But these are also global challenges. God Willing, we will overcome these challenges also.
\n\u201cOur Quaid prescribed the principles of unity, faith and discipline as the cornerstones of nation-building. These are the three pillars which are essential for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan. We should continue our struggle to fulfill the vision of the Quaid-e-Azam and make our society humane, inclusive, and tolerant for all.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NEW YORK Highlighting India\u2019s \u201cbrutal\u201d military siege of Jammu and Kashmir, now in its 3rd year, Pakistan\u2019s UN Ambassador Munir Akram has said that Islamabad will continue to raise Kashmir\u2019s call for liberation at the United Nations and in all forums. \u201cWe stand firmly with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their struggle for right […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-277171","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n