Detailed briefing to UNMOGIP representatives at its Rawalakot office presented
Rawalakot: A delegation comprising Advocate Sardar Bilal Shakil, Sardar Hafeez Khan, Sardar Saddam Naseem, Sardar Iftikhar Jamshed, Advocate Atyab Irshad, Advocate Zaryab Ejaz, Nasir Arbab, and others presented a detailed briefing to representatives of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) at its Rawalakot office.
They also submitted a memorandum regarding the significance of July 19.
On this occasion, Sardar Bilal Shakil and others discussed the historical context of the Kashmir dispute in a logical and well-reasoned manner, emphasizing the right to self-determination and the demand for accession to Pakistan.
They said it is the fundamental responsibility of the United Nations to organize a free and impartial plebiscite across the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir so the people can decide their future in accordance with their will.
They added that Azad Jammu and Kashmir is a free territory—it has its own President, Prime Minister, and judicial system, along with full political and religious freedoms. On the other hand, India has turned occupied Kashmir into a prison, where basic freedoms are denied and the local population lives in misery and fear.
Furthermore, they pointed out that the presence of UN representatives and the existence of a permanent UNMOGIP office in the region is clear evidence that the Kashmir dispute remains on the active agenda of the United Nations, and is an unresolved issue that continues to grow in international importance.
The delegation urged the global community to respect the fundamental right of the Kashmiri people—the right to vote and decide their future—and awaken their collective conscience. Until the conscience of the world wakes up, such memorandums will continue to be presented.
Following is the text of the memorandum.
“Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General
United Nations Organization
Through: UNMOGIP, Rawalakot, Pakistan
Subject: Right to Self-Determination for the People of Jammu and Kashmir
Excellency,
On this historic day, we recall that the people of Jammu and Kashmir, through a resolution adopted by their legitimate political leadership on July 19, 1947, called upon the then ruler of the princely state to join Pakistan, reflecting the democratic will of the majority population residing in the region, particularly in Srinagar and surrounding areas. This call was rooted in the principle that the people’s aspirations, not autocratic decisions, should shape the state’s political future.
Fearing the Maharaja’s reluctance to heed this demand, the people rose in armed resistance, leading to the liberation of significant parts of the region and the establishment of a provisional free government of Jammu and Kashmir on October 24, 1947, under the leadership of Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan.
In response, India deployed military forces to the territory, citing an Instrument of Accession allegedly signed by the Maharaja. This intervention triggered a military conflict between India and Pakistan, and the matter was subsequently brought before the United Nations. The United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) adopted multiple resolutions, affirming that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir must be decided through a free and impartial plebiscite, enabling its people to choose between accession to India or Pakistan.”
