AJK President Calls for UN Action on Kashmir Self-Determination

rki.news | Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR (AJK), Oct. 26: Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Dr. Muhammad Najeeb Naqu Khan on Monday described October 27, 1947, as a dark day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, when Indian troops were airlifted to Srinagar following the Maharaja’s signing of the Instrument of Accession to India, marking the beginning of a protracted conflict over the future of the state and its people’s right to self-determination.
In his special message on Kashmir Black Day, the president said the people of Indian- illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir had never accepted India’s actions and continued to resist its occupation. He said Pakistan had consistently extended wholehearted support to the Kashmiris’ struggle.
Dr Najeeb Khan said India had taken the Kashmir dispute to the United Nations in 1947 and pledged to grant Kashmiris their right to self-determination. However, instead of honouring its commitment, India resorted to oppression and grave human rights violations.
He said India’s failure to fulfil its commitments, the abrogation of occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status and continued human rights violations had intensified the Kashmiris’ struggle.
The president said India’s unilateral and illegal actions of August 5, 2019, had ushered in a new phase of repression. Kashmiri youth continued to face imprisonment, women were subjected to harassment and indignities, while children and elderly people were also affected.
Despite repression, he said, Kashmiris had demonstrated their resolve, courage and steadfastness and would never accept India’s illegal occupation. He reaffirmed their determination to continue their peaceful and legitimate struggle until their right to self-determination was realised.
The president said the freedom movement enjoyed unwavering moral, political and diplomatic support from Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He urged the international community, the United Nations, international organisations and human rights bodies to fulfil their responsibilities and ensure Kashmiris’ fundamental right to self-determination in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.
Expressing confidence in the struggle’s ultimate success, Dr Najeeb Khan said Kashmiris’ sacrifices would not go in vain. He expressed hope that they would one day decide their future freely, paving the way for lasting peace, justice and stability in the region.