KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
The British Parliamentarians have termed the situation in Kashmir appalling and emphasized upon the immediate resolution of the issue supporting Pakistan’s stance on resolving the issue through dialogue.
Members of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Kashmir at the British Parliament responded to a briefing given by Prime Minister’s Special Envoys on Kashmir Senator Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qayyum and MNA Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh, Radio Pakistan reported.
The envoys sensitized the British Parliamentarians on the on-going “gross” atrocities and human rights violations in Kashmir.
They called upon the British Parliamentarians and the international community to apply the similar international human rights standards in Kashmir as well.
Qayyum gave a genesis of the Kashmir issue along with UN Security Council Resolutions and sought United Kingdom’s support for the Kashmiris right to self-determination.
He informed them about the current uprising in Kashmir during which around 94 civilians were killed, hundreds blinded by the use of pellet guns and 15,000 people wounded.
“About Indian allegations over Uri attack,” he said, “it was in fact, an attempt to divert the world attention from the atrocities being committed by India in Kashmir.”
He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to resolve all outstanding issues with India, including the core issue of Kashmir, through dialogue, and added India was “constantly” avoiding talks.
“In case of an escalation on Pakistan’s eastern borders caused by India, Pakistan would have to shift its security forces from its western border, thus adversely affecting its fight against terrorism and it would eventually affect global security,” he observed.
He pointed out that UK could help in avoiding any conflict between two nuclear neighbours on an issue that was the unfinished agenda of partition.
Among others who attended the meeting and spoke on the Kashmir issue included Lord Nazir Ahmed, Lord Qurban Hussain, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Baroness Udin, Julie Cooper MP, Kate Green MP, and Chris Lesley MP.
Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh, MNA, apprised the parliamentarians about the current situation in Kashmir and Line of Control. Shaikh urged the Parliamentarians to send a delegation to the Kashmir to know the plight of the Kashmiri people.
Both the envoys urged UK to play its role in resolution of the issue.
The Lords and MPs were of the view that peaceful resolution was in the interest of both the countries.
Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK Syed Ibne Abbas highlighted the human rights violations in IoK.
