DNA

ISLAMABAD: The United States should give Pakistan the importance it deserves, believes Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Though the US has sought help from Pakistan to halt the Taliban advance while US troops are pulling out of Afghanistan, US President Joe Biden has not spoken over the issue with Prime Minister Imran Khan so far.

But Qureshi doesn’t think Pakistan should worry over not receiving a phone call. If the US expresses disengagement with Pakistan, it puts them at a disadvantage too, Qureshi told a private news channel.

He said an impression was being given of tensions in Pakistan-US relations.

The foreign minister was confident that Pakistan and the US want the same things. 

“America wants stability in Afghanistan, we want the same. The US is saying there is no military solution to Afghanistan, we are saying the same thing. They are saying a solution should be found through comprehensive talks, we are also saying the same thing,” Qureshi explained.

“Let the Taliban and Afghan rulers sit together and decide their future,” he said, adding that Pakistan is trying its best to persuade the Taliban.

He said that what Pakistan is doing is for its security and survival and for peace and stability.

DNA 

ANKARA: The Embassy of Pakistan Ankara organized an event to observe “Youm-e-Istehsal” as a show of solidarity with the oppressed people of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), held today in Ankara. Representatives of civil society, media, think-tanks, and Kashmiris living in Ankara attended the event.

Messages of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out by Deputy Head of Mission Arshad Jan Pathan. Showing solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiris, Pakistani leadership in their messages urged the international community to hold India accountable for gross human rights violations in the IIOJK and hold a plebiscite to settle the dispute which is key to peace and stability in South Asia. Both the President and the Prime Minister said that the Indian atrocities in IIOJK are a manifestation of rising Hindu Fascism that wants to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory through new domicile rules and new land ownership laws. The people of IIOJK are being subjected to collective punishment by the Indian Occupation Forces, which have turned the territory into the largest militarized zone in the world. Pakistani leadership reaffirmed continuation of its steadfast support to Kashmiris till the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination and a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Turkish Parliamentarian Ms. Asuman Erdoğan, who is also Chairperson of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly Group in the Turkish Parliament, reiterated Turkey’s support for the oppressed Kashmiris. Condemning the human rights violations and oppression of Indian occupation forces in Kashmir, Ms Erdoğan said that Turkey would remain steadfast in its support for the genuine cause of the Kashmiris. 

Ambassador Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi in his speech thanked the Turkish nation and the leadership for their unwavering support for the oppressed Kashmiris in IIOJK. He urged the international community to come forward and play their role in resolving this dispute as per the wishes of the Kashmiris through a plebiscite as enshrined in the UN Security Council Resolutions. 

DNA

Jakarta: The Embassy of Pakistan, in connection with Youm-e-Istehsaal, held a webinar titled: ‘Jammu and Kashmir Dispute and Its Implication on the Peace & Security in South Asia and Beyond on 5 August 2021’. The webinar was organized in collaboration with the reputed universities and organizations from various parts of Indonesia. The Speakers included:

1- H.E Ambassador Muhammad Hassan, Ambassador of Pakistan to Indonesia, Timor Leste & ASEAN.

2 -Drs. Nur Munir, Head of Islamic and Middle Eastern Research Centre, University of Indonesia.

3- Prof. Dr. Yusny Saby, Leading Academic.

4 -Dr. Zahir Khan, Chairman Kashmir Solidarity Forum

5- Prof. Darni M Daud, Syahkuala University Aceh

6-Ms. Khairunnisa Simbolon – Lecturer in International Relations Department, Universitas Lampung

7- Ms. Astiwi Inayah – Lecturer in International Relations Department, Universitas Lampung

Ambassador Muhammad Hassan, in his keynote address, gave a brief overview of the history of the Kashmir dispute. He mentioned about the illegal action taken by India especially in the wake of 5 August 2019 in an attempt to deprive the Kashmiris of their right to self-determination, which has been rejected by Kashmiris as well as Pakistan. Revoking Article 370 and 35A of the constitution meant that India is officially declaring the UNSC resolutions, calling for a free and fair referendum in Jammu and Kashmir, as null and void which is a slap on the face of the UN and its members. He stated that by allowing non-Kashmiri Hindus (not Christians or Muslims) to acquire property and settle in the state, India has started implementing a systemic program to transform the Muslim-majority in the state to a minority. This law paves the way for a demographic apartheid in IIOJK and is in direct contravention of international law, especially Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. 

The ambassador also drew similarities between Indian illegal actions in Kashmir and Israel’s attempts to disenfranchise Palestinians and depopulate Jerusalem of its indigenous population. Not only Pakistan but also a growing number of the international community, including the United Nations, Genocide Watch, Amnesty International, OIC etc. have condemned these illegal actions. The Genocide Watch issued a genocide alert for IOJK. The UNSC has held three hearings since 05 August 2019 on the issue. These consultations have reaffirmed the Council’s role in the dispute, repudiating the Indian position that their actions in IIOJK were an “internal affair”. 

The ambassador mentioned that Pakistan continues to stand with our brothers and sisters in Kashmir and we will extend all political, moral, and diplomatic support to them until the final resolution of Kashmir dispute according to the aspirations of the people to be expressed through a free and fair plebiscite under the auspices of the UN. 

Professor Darni M. Daud mentioned that Kashmir’s paradise had been converted into hell by Indian occupation forces. He stated that both Pakistan and India had fought three wars over Kashmir. The dispute has become a nuclear flashpoint and can engulf the wider region leading towards World War III. He, therefore, urged all stakeholders to work towards an amicable solution to the dispute.

Professor Nur Munir, in his remarks, highlighted Islamic teachings of confronting oppression and injustice and stated that Indonesia’s foreign policy was based on the principles of rule-based international order and social justice. He dwelt upon the principles of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the universal tenets of freedom, justice and peace in the world. He also mentioned about the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ report in Human Rights Council (HRC) in February 2021 and India’s Citizenship Amendment Act which was discriminatory against the minorities and Kashmiris.

Professor Yusni Sabi stated that Indonesia’s founding principles of Pancasila rejected injustice and oppression and Indonesians support Kashmiris’ rights to self-determination

Dr. Zahir Khan stated that India was a terrorist state and the international community must take cognizance of its illegal actions against the innocent Kashmiris.  Ms. Khairunnissa Simbolon, and Mr. Astiwi Inayah discussed the human rights tragedy going on in Jammu & Kashmir, and possible solutions of the dispute.

The Webinar was attended by more than 275 academics, scholars, intellectuals, researchers, members of political and religious organizations, and students.