News Desk |
Prime Minister Imran Khan will represent Pakistan, and address the gross human rights violations committed by Indian troops in Indian-occupied Kashmir at the 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, scheduled to be held in September.
Prime Minister Khan has vowed to highlight the atrocities committed by the Indian authorities against unarmed Kashmiri civilians and protestors in the disputed Himalayan valley during his address at the 74th UN General Assembly session. Sources reveal that Imran Khan’s General Debate speech is scheduled for 27th September.
Kashmir Ambassador in UNGA
As part of Imran Khan’s promise to be the ambassador for Kashmir and highlight the Kashmiri struggle for freedom and self-determination at every forum, he has decided to address the gross human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir at the upcoming UN General Assembly session.
This initiative is in-line with Islamabad’s diplomatic offensive to undermine India’s unilateral and unlawful decision of abolishing the special constitutional status of the Muslim-majority region of occupied Jammu & Kashmir, which was followed by an unprecedented communications blackout and deployment of hundreds of thousands of troops to quell dissent.
The Indian government has stationed 9 lakh troops and the Kashmiris are denied access to any form of communication: cellular and internet services have been blocked.
Imran Khan will leave for a four-day US visit on 23rd September, and he is expected to engage with multiple important global leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, including Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohammad. The premier will also address meetings with the Pakistani diaspora and business community of overseas Pakistanis.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed the PTI leadership and workers to organize a mammoth protest against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York, on the sidelines of the UNGA meeting. The agenda of this protest is to publicly shame Modi for the gross human rights violations undertaken by the Indian Army in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
These orders were issued during a meeting with PTI’s Overseas Secretary, General Dr. Abdullah Riaz. The Prime Minister directed him to organize a historic demonstration to call out Indian aggression and heinous abuse of international laws in the occupied Himalayan valley. He directed the PTI leadership to ensure that the gathering is attended by representatives from international human rights organizations and advocacy groups to send across a strong message in the global community.
Prime Minister Khan condemned India’s persistent violations of the human rights charter and UNSC resolutions in the occupied valley. He vowed to do justice to his responsibility as the self-proclaimed ambassador of Kashmir, and stressed that he intends to raise his voice for the Kashmiri struggle for freedom at every international forum.
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Imran Khan said, “I will expose the unilateral and unlawful decision taken by India at every forum.” Last week, Pakistan succeeded in opening up the issue of Kashmir in the UN Security Council, which is being lauded as a great diplomatic win considering the UNSC discussed the issue after five decades.
19th Day of Total Blackout
Addressing the weekly press briefing at the Foreign Office on Thursday, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, FO spokesperson, condemned the Modi administration for turning the occupied Himalayan valley into the “largest prison” in the history of humanity.
Apprising the press on the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir, Dr. Faisal said, “Today is the 19th day of the total blackout and curfew in the Indian Occupied Valley, creating a famine-like situation for the entire besieged population. The Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir has been converted into the largest prison in the history of mankind.”
“More than 14 million humans are incarcerated in their homes. The Indian government has stationed 9 lakh troops and the Kashmiris are denied access to any form of communication: cellular and internet services have been blocked.”
The Foreign Minister urged his counterparts to play their role and impress upon India to lift the curfew and ameliorate the hardships and suffering of the people in IoK.
Dr. Faisal continued, “We cannot imagine the psychological and physical trauma through which the Kashmiris are going through, as decisions regarding their fate are being taken and they are denied access to any sort of information. Furthermore, the region is awaiting a looming humanitarian crisis as there is a shortage of food and medicines, which risks the lives of people, especially elderly, women and children. Kashmiris are being denied access to basic healthcare facilities, which violates their most fundamental right to life and well-being.”
Dr. Faisal revealed that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has engaged in a telephonic conversation with the foreign ministers of multiple countries, including Russia, Spain, Netherlands, Canada, Norway, Denmark, and France amongst others. The FO Spokesperson said, “Foreign Minister Qureshi briefed his counterparts on India’s illegal and unilateral actions to change the disputed status of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and its demographic structure.”
Dr. Faisal continued, “He apprised the Foreign Ministers of the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation, including severe shortages of basic necessities of life such as food and medicines, and complete communications blackout. He added that Pakistan was always committed to resolving issues through peaceful means and our peace overtures and offers of dialogue had been rebuffed by India.”
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“The Foreign Minister urged his counterparts to play their role and impress upon India to lift the curfew and ameliorate the hardships and suffering of the people in IoK. And move towards the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir Dispute as per the UNSC Resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.”