India cannot contain the Kashmiri voices through force: Nawaz

LAHORE – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday slammed India for its atrocities in occupied Kashmir and warned that the country could not contain Kashmiri voices of freedom through the use of force.

The PM said that India could not prevent people from thinking or raising their voices. He also ordered all government officials to wear black armbands as a sign of solidarity with Kashmiris.

"No one should be allowed to violate the principles of humanity," he said. "India has promised the world it would provide the right of self-determination to the Kashmiris," he said.

The premier added that Pakistan would stand with its brothers in Kashmir during their difficult hour. He also said that the United Nations had declared Kashmir a disputed territory.

"The movement for freedom in Kashmir will not stop," he warned. "We will never leave Kashmiris alone," he said. He also said that India's claim that the crisis in Kashmir was its internal problem, was absurd.

"Pakistanis have a long-standing relationship with Kashmiris," he said. "India has no other option but to accept its defeat."

On the other hand, an Indian court in the city of Ambala on Wednesday approved the hearing of an application filed against Nawaz Sharif and Kashmiri separatist leaders.

The application which contained articles related to treason, was filed by an organisation named Anti-Terrorist Front India.

The application criticized Pakistan's declaration that militant leader Burhan Wani, who was killed in the occupied valley by Indian forces, was a martyr was a declaration of war against India.

The court approved the hearing of the application and will hear the case again on July 25.