Chairman of Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Shabir Ahmad Shah on Thursday hailed the speech of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the UN General Assembly and termed it a “voice of the oppressed people of Jammu Kashmir”. He also expressed hope that world leadership will play a positive role vis-à-vis Kashmir dispute by taking practical steps towards finding its solution.In a statement issued to KNS, Shah said Nawaz Sharif acted as a spokesperson of the people of Jammu Kashmir and urged the world leaders to use their good offices for putting an end to bloodshed at the hands of Indian forces in the occupied State.He said the Pak premier’s call to hold a plebiscite in Jammu Kashmir is “based on truth and justice” and the move will “obviously validate or nullify” Indian claims on the disputed territory. “Even though the respected representatives at UN are fully aware of the Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir and the reasons behind the grave situation in the disputed territory, but Pakistan, as our well-wisher, proved in UN that the country and its people equally share(s) our pain and grief,” he said.Welcoming Pakistan PM’s reiterating of support to right to self-determination of Kashmiris, Shah said: “Nawaz Sharif, on one hand, by highlighting the Indian-sponsored oppression (which includes killings, maiming, and blinding civilians) in held Kashmir, the arrest of resistance leaders and youth, and undue curfew, presented a detailed overview of the Kashmir situation; and on other side, expressed its sincerity by inviting India to resolve all outstanding issues with it (in which Kashmir is prioritized). The world leadership must react positively to Nawaz Sharif’s speech and take initiatives towards their implementation.”
Shah said the instability in South Asia is due to lingering of Kashmir issue and that “only the (Kashmir) resolution can put an end to war-like atmosphere in the region”.Expressing his viewpoint over the usual border skirmishes between India and Pakistan, Shah said such confrontation can anytime turn into a full-fledged war which will destroy the whole subcontinent.Shah also welcomed the stance taken by OIC over Kashmir in its recent meeting wherein it asked India to stop atrocities in the occupied territory and give the people of the State the right to decide their political future. He also termed it “encouraging” the stand adopted by China vis-à-vis the freedom struggle of Kashmiris saying the country always supported our cause and “we hope it continues to support us in future”.He also expressed hope that world leadership during the ongoing UN session takes notice of the innocent killings in Kashmir by India “even on the occasion of Eid and its enforcement of strict restrictions on public movement on that day”. “India has converted the State of Jammu Kashmir into a big jail,” he said.Shah urged the international media to highlight the grave human rights violations taking place in Jammu Kashmir at the hands of occupational forces as Indian media completely blocks out such crimes of their “democratic” country.He reiterated his appeal to nation to remain steadfast and continue the struggle for freedom saying there is a dawn after every dark night. (KNS)