LONDON – The British Parliamentarians have termed the situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK) appalling and emphasized upon the immediate resolution of the issue supporting Pakistan’s stance on resolving the issue through dialogue.
Members of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Kashmir at the British Parliament responded to a briefing given by Prime Minister’s Special Envoys on Kashmir Senator Lt. Gen. (retd) Abdul Qayyum and MNA Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh.
The envoys sensitized the British Parliamentarians on the ongoing gross atrocities and human rights violations by the Indian security forces in the (IOK), said a message received here from Pakistan High Commission in UK on Tuesday.
They called upon the British Parliamentarians and the international community to apply the similar international human rights standards in IoK as well.
Qayyum gave a genesis of the Kashmir issue along with UN Security Council Resolutions and sought United Kingdom’s support for the Kashmiris right to self-determination.
He informed them about the recent atrocities in IoK in which about 150 people were martyred, hundreds blinded by the use of pellet guns and 15,000 people were wounded.
About Indian allegations over Uri attack, he said it was in fact, an attempt to divert the world attention from the atrocities being committed by India in IoK.
He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to resolve all outstanding issues with India, including the core issue of Kashmir, through dialogue, and added India was constantly avoiding talks.
He said in case of an escalation on Pakistan’s eastern borders caused by India, Pakistan would have to shift its security forces from its western border, thus adversely affecting its fight against terrorism and it would eventually affect global security.
He pointed out that UK could help in avoiding any conflict between two nuclear neighbours on an issue that was the unfinished agenda of partition.
Among others who attended the meeting and spoke on the Kashmir issue included Lord Nazir Ahmed, Lord Qurban Hussain, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Baroness Udin, Julie Cooper MP, Kate Green MP, and Chris Lesley MP.
Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh, MNA, apprised the parliamentarians about the current situation in Kashmir and Line of Control. Shaikh urged the Parliamentarians to send a delegation to the IoK to know the plight of the Kashmiri people.
Both the envoys urged UK to play its role in resolution of the issue.The Lords and MPs were of the view that peaceful resolution was in the interest of both the countries.
Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK Syed Ibne Abbas highlighted the human rights violations in IoK.
–APP
