RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The Senate passed a unanimous resolution on Monday strongly condemning recent escalation of state-sponsored violence in Shopian and Islamabad districts of Indian-held Kashmir, which left scores of people killed and injured by Indian soldiers and police.

In a joint-resolution tabled by Opposition Leader in Senate Sherry Rehman, the House extended its deepest condolences to martyred families and reiterated its undying solidarity with people of Kashmir in their struggle for freedom and right to self-determination in the face of the most brutal state terrorism perpetrated by the Indian state and reassures the support to the Kashmir cause on every political and diplomatic front.

Speaking on the issue, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) said there are certain international laws, which can help stop Indian brutalities in the Occupied Kashmir. He said that mere resolutions would be of no use, adding if Pakistan wants action it must approach the UN after seeing Indian brutalities in Kashmir.

The senators endorsed the proposals put forth by Barrister Saif, and said that the government must proceeds to the UN, demanding actions against India under international laws for genocide in Kashmir by Indian occupation forces. Senator Raza Rabbani also condemned the unabated human rights violation in the Held Kashmir and called for addressing the issue as per UN resolutions and Kashmiris’ aspirations.

Maulana Attaur Rehman of JUI-F demanded that such condemnation resolution should also be passed against American air strike on a religious seminary in Afghanistan in which scores of innocent children lost their lives.

Sirajul Haq of Jamaat-e-Islami said that durable peace could not be established in the region without resolving the longstanding issue of Kashmir. Practical steps should be taken to resolve the Kashmir issue as per the UN resolutions, he added.

Senator Rehman A Malik said Indian Prime Minister Modi is behind the killings of innocent Kashmiris and Pakistan should raise the issue effectively at the international forums.

Syed Muzaffar Hussain said that political and diplomatic means should be adopted to stop Indian atrocities in the occupied valley.

Chaudhry Sarwar said Pakistani people fully support Kashmiri brethren and Kashmir issue should be settled as per the UN Security Council resolutions.

Mushahid Hussain Syed said the Kashmir issue is a matter of national unity and a strategy should be devised in light of the recommendations adopted by the House.

The resolution reassured support to the Kashmir cause on every political and diplomatic front, adding for decades, the people of Kashmir have suffered violent repression under the hands of the Indian Army, which commits brutality with full impunity from the state. It further said that thousands of innocent people have been brutally martyred, while millions have been orphaned, widowed and made mentally disabled. The Indian state’s deplorable actions range from shutting down schools, restricting movement of people, suspension of internet services to far more heinous acts such as open fire and use of tear gas and to subjugate the people of Kashmir. The resolution further states that the Senate firmly believes that such indiscriminate use of force is violation of most fundamental human rights, which will only fuel further discontent and deterioration in stability of an already volatile region.

It stated that the danger of further escalation can only be thwarted if pressure is intensified to bring India to the negotiating table to find a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict. The House assured the people of Kashmir that Pakistan will continue its robust diplomatic, political and moral support for just cause of Kashmiris.

The Senate urged the international community, the Islamic World, OIC, UN, international human rights organizations and watchdogs to denounce Indian state’s belated violation of the UN Charter and resolutions. The resolution recommended the government to appoint a special envoy and representative to raise Kashmir issue at all international forums at once. It also urged the government to take all necessary steps to get appointed a special envoy of the United Nations for Kashmir issue at all appropriate forums.

The House also offered Fateha (prayer) for the martyrs of Kashmir and Afghanistan.