Right to self-determination only solution of lingering Kashmir dispute: APHC-AJK
Gilgit : All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) has said that Kashmir is an international dispute on the agenda of the United Nations, the only fair solution of which is to provide the Kashmiri people with their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.
According to Kashmir Media Service, APHC-AJK leaders addressing a news conference in Gilgit highlighted the importance of the historic resolution of accession to Pakistan of July 19, 1947.
Various political, social and religious figures of Gilgit-Baltistan participated in the press conference and expressed their full support for the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people and their complete solidarity with them.
The leaders, who attended the press conference, included former Information Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Iman Shah, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Muhammad Tufail Khan, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat’s Legal Advisor Barrister Athar Mahmood, Pakistan Peoples Party’s central leader Agha Bilal, Jamaat-e-Islami Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ameer Maulana Tanveer Haideri, Religious Consultative Council’s General Secretary Maulana Hussain Ahmed, ITP’s central leader Sheikh Muhammad Aslam, Chief Minister House Gilgit-Baltistan’s Spokesperson Hajid Ali and others.
APHC-AJK Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi on the occasion said that the Kashmiri people always preferred democratic struggle, however, after the controversial elections of 1987, their confidence in the democratic process was eroded. He said the All Parties Hurriyat Conference is a representative party of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and for the last 78 years the Kashmiri people have been continuously struggling for their birthright and fundamental rights.
He said the political and constitutional proposals of India are not acceptable to the Kashmiri people, because the Kashmiri people want to decide their future through a free plebiscite. He said when the plebiscite is held as per the resolutions of the United Nations, the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan will decide their future together.
Advocate Pervez Ahmed Shah, APHC-AJK General Secretary, said Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory covering 84,000 square miles, the future of which is the fundamental right of the people of the territory as per the resolutions of the United Nations.
He said the Hurriyat Conference is waging a peaceful political struggle to achieve this right, but India is using tactics like imprisoning the Hurriyat leadership, confiscating properties and harassing political workers to suppress the freedom movement. He said that despite all these atrocities, the Kashmiri people will not give up their struggle to achieve their rights.
Former Information Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Iman Shah said the gathering of various political and social forces of Gilgit-Baltistan on one platform today is a clear message that no compromise is possible on the freedom of the Kashmiri people and their right to self-determination. He said a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue lies only in the implementation of UN resolutions.
Barrister Athar Mahmood, Legal Advisor of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, said he fully believes in the unity of Jammu and Kashmir and fully supports the principled stance of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference. He said their support will continue until the Kashmiri people achieve their goal.
Pakistan Peoples Party central leader Agha Bilal said PPP has always considered the Kashmir dispute as a national priority. He said Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari supported the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people at every level, which he is proud of.
Jamaat-e-Islami Gilgit-Baltistan Ameer Maulana Tanveer Haideri said that Jamaat-e-Islami has always supported the Kashmir freedom movement politically, morally and diplomatically and this support will continue with full force until the liberation of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
All the political, religious and social leaders, participating in the press conference, paid tribute to the great sacrifices of the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the martyrs and reiterated their resolve that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan will stand with the Kashmiri brothers at every stage and will continue to support their just struggle for the right of self-determination.
