MUZAFFARABAD: Kashmiri leaders from both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) on Saturday expressed profound gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his strong advocacy of the Kashmir cause during his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

In a statement, Altaf Ahmed Bhat, Chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Salvation Movement (JKSM), maintained that Prime Minister Sharif’s bold stance had once again brought global focus to the ongoing human rights violations and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

“The oppressed people of Kashmir are deeply indebted to Prime Minister Sharif for his principled and courageous stand against India’s illegal occupation, and for exposing the brutal settler-colonial policies being imposed by the Indian government in IIOJK,” he said.

Stating that Pakistan’s persistent advocacy at international platforms offered the people of Kashmir renewed hope in their decades-long quest for self-determination, Mr Bhatexpressed optimism that world leaders would respond to Pakistan prime minister’s call for a peaceful and just resolution to the Kashmir dispute, which remained crucial for peace and stability in the region.

He further urged the international community to not only acknowledge but actively support efforts to resolve the Kashmir conflict by swiftly implementing United Nations resolutions on the issue.

He pointed out that lasting peace in South Asia hinged on granting the people of Jammu and Kashmir their inalienable right to self-determination, as mandated by the UN resolutions.

These resolutions must be enforced to end decades of Indian occupation and the continued human rights abuses in the region,he stressed.

Tanveerul Islam, a militant turned peace activist, also praised PM Sharif for his forceful and eloquent mention of the Kashmir issue during his address at the UNGA.

“The prime minister’s address is yet another reminder to the world of the urgent need for a peaceful and just resolution to the longstanding Kashmir conflict, in accordance with UN resolutions,” said Mr Islam, who once headed the United Jihad Council.

Maintaining that the sham elections in IIOJK could not serve as a replacement for the plebiscite promised by the UN resolutions,heurged the international community to heed Pakistan’s call for intervention in keeping the starkreality that peace in South Asia will remain elusive without a lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute.

PML-N regional secretary general and AJK’s former senior minister, Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, also lauded PM Sharif for using the global platform to highlight the ongoing human rights violations and military aggression in IIOJK, maintaining that such international attention was crucial for the Kashmir cause.

He noted that the people of Kashmir deeply appreciated Pakistan’s unwavering diplomatic, political, and moral support.

“Prime Minister’s continued advocacy for Kashmir’s right to self-determination has kept the issue alive on the international stage, providing hope and encouragement to the oppressed people of IIOJK,” he said.

“Pakistan’s consistent stand reflects its commitment to seeking justice and peace in the region, despite challenges and opposition from the Indian government,” he added.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2024