Pakistani Parliament Intensifies Focus on Kashmir Issue

The Special Committee of the National Assembly on Kashmir has unanimously decided to intensify efforts to bring the Kashmir issue to the forefront of regional and international discussions.

The committee, chaired by Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, condemned the severe human rights violations occurring in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). They emphasized the need to draw global attention to the harsh treatment faced by Kashmiris, especially following the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian Constitution.

During the meeting at Parliament House, the committee expressed deep concern over the ongoing human rights abuses in IIOJK. They argued that local elections there would be meaningless under the current circumstances.

Rana Qasim affirmed that the Pakistani Parliament would persist in exposing Indian abuses against innocent Kashmiris. He criticized India for denying the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination, which he deemed a violation of international norms.

He stressed the urgency of raising global awareness about the Kashmir crisis, describing it as an “unfinished agenda” from the Partition era. Qasim underscored that achieving Kashmir’s freedom would fulfill the vision of Quaid-e-Azam.

The committee noted that over one million Indian security personnel have been deployed to suppress the Kashmiri population. This heavy military presence has been a point of significant concern for the committee.

Members of the committee also proposed visiting border areas such as Azad Kashmir and Chakothi. This visit aims to gain a firsthand understanding of the situation on the ground.

Key participants in the meeting included Sardar Muhammad Yousaf Zaman, Muhammad Azhar Khan Leghari, Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj, Rana Mubashir Iqbal, Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Asad Alam Niazi, Syed Javed Ali Shah Jilani, Ms. Sharmila Faruqui, Fateh Ullah Khan, Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar, Sadiq Iftikhar, Ali Khan Jadoon, Shehryar Khan Afridi, Faisal Amin Khan, Khurram Shahzad Virk, Mian Muhammad Azhar, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, and Muhammad Usman Bidani MNAs.

The meeting underscored a unified commitment to advocate for Kashmir at every possible forum, emphasizing the need for international intervention and support to address the ongoing human rights crisis.