NEW YORK: Describing New Delhi’s occupation of Jammu and Kashmir as the “worst manifestation of modern-day colonialism,” Islamabad has underlined the need for the resolution of the decades-old dispute over the Himalayan state to obtain durable peace in South Asian region.
“The UN and all its member nations are bound by the UN Charter to promote a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as per the UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the people of Kashmir,” Ambassador Munir Akram, permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, told the General Assembly’s Special Political and Decolonization (Fourth) Committee.
He said that since 1946, around 80 former colonies have gained independence, but there are still people who are deprived the right to self-determination, among them the people of IIOJK and Palestine.
Strongly denouncing Israeli genocidal war against Palestinian people and the aggression against Lebanon, the Pakistani envoy said, “Israel’s brutalities and massacres will not extinguish the struggle for freedom and self-determination of the people of Palestine”. In this context, the Ambassador advocated a two-state solution to usher in lasting peace in the region.”
“Similarly, India’s occupation of Jammu and Kashmir is another worst manifestation of modern-day colonialism,” the Ambassador said.
The right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir, he said, was explicitly recognized in UNSC resolution 47 (1948) and several subsequent resolutions, which prescribed that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir should be decided by its people through a free and fair plebiscite held under UN auspices.
