JKCHR urges Pakistan Government to respect “sovereign status” of Pakistan-based Kashmir State Properties:

English , Kashmir - آزاد جموں کشمیر , Snippets , / Thursday, August 22nd, 2024

Altaf Hamid Rao.

Call:

MIRPUR  (AJK): August 22 : United Kingdom – based Jammu Kashmir Council For Human Rights – the JKCHR, has  in a written communication Thursday urged the Prime Minister of Pakistan to respect, what it call the “sovereign status” of Kashmir Properties situated in all the four provinces of Pakistan and honour the obligations towards these “trust properties”. There is a caution in UN SC Resolution 91 in this regard.

The Communication referring to the reports that the present Government of Pakistan as a measure to overcome its financial crisis, is reportedly  in the process of considering the sale of these properties, has said that  it would be unlawful and unfortunate. The move would be unfair and unjust, it maintaied.

JKCHR communication has pointed out that “The proposal to lift the ban on the sale of these properties should be immediately removed from the agenda. These properties are protected under Article 257 of the Constitution of Pakistan, and lifting the ban on their sale would harm the Kashmir cause and expose the Government of Pakistan to serious challenges from a broad constituency of aggrieved parties.”

The communication has referred to a meeting of 3 April 2017 at which JKCHR had expressed “concerns regarding the management of proceeds from these properties, including sales, rentals, and other income, which are deposited in a special account called “The Sale Proceeds Account of Immovable Property of Jammu and Kashmir State.” Unfortunately, the control and management of these properties have never been transparent, and concerns about corruption, fraudulent sales, and misuse of proceeds persist.”

 

JKCHR Communication has, “…reiterated that these properties have a sovereign character, and the proceeds from their sale, rent, and other income, deposited in the special “Sale Proceeds Account of Immovable Property of Jammu and Kashmir State,” are meant to serve the interests of the people of Kashmir. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been clearly defined in paragraph 60 of the report by the UN Representative for India and Pakistan.”

It has been pointed out that on “12 November 1959 (Document S/4238), the Government of India raised objections to the “Azad Kashmir Government’s decision to sell State Property in West Pakistan.” This reference to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) further insulates and protects these Kashmir properties, which are located in various parts of Pakistan and India.”

JKCHR intervened in December 2019 and “cautioned the Government of Pakistan against any such action, reminding that all Kashmir properties and assets situated in both India and Pakistan possess a sovereign character. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar has initiated legal proceedings in various courts to reclaim possession of these properties and has succeeded in many cases. This process is ongoing.” Ends