Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President, Sardar Masood Khan on Monday called upon Special Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir to evolve an effective strategy to project Kashmir issue at international level by leveraging the strength of the Diaspora community
ISLAMABAD (Pakistan Point News - 7th May, 2019 ) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President, Sardar Masood Khan on Monday called upon Special Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir to evolve an effective strategy to project Kashmir issue at international level by leveraging the strength of the Diaspora community. “The Pakistani-Kashmiri Diaspora community, which has gained significant clout in many important countries of the world can play an important role in raising the profile of the Kashmir dispute,” President Masood said in the first formal meeting of the committee, which met at Parliament House, Islamabad.
The Chairman of the committee, Syed Fakhar Imam chaired the meeting. The Committee was briefed by AJK President regarding the Kashmir dispute with its historical background and presented suggestions for future strategy. The President said that the Diaspora community could play a crucial role by reaching out to the UN and other influential forums, including the UK and the European Parliaments. He said the international community must come together for the resolution of the Kashmir issue, which has become a flashpoint between the two nuclear powers of the region.
The President gave a detailed over view of the Kashmir issue from all dimensions and also urged the Committee to play its due role to further highlight the Kashmir issue in the international arena while effectively using parliamentary diplomacy and media. The Members of the committee took a very keen interest in the proceedings and made several suggestions and recommendations. They pointed out that the reports prepared and issued by the UN Human Rights Commission, UK Parliamentary Kashmir Group, and the European Parliament’s Human Rights Committee may be discussed in the forthcoming meetings of the committee to formulate a comprehensive strategy for a future plan of action.
The Committee also strongly condemned unprovoked firing by the Indian forces that claimed two precious human lives and injured some others in Maal Gujran and Sehra villages in Khuiratta and Hajira subdivisions of Kotli and Poonch districts, respectively. The Committee expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people and said that coercion, violence and atrocities could never dampen the spirit of Kashmiri people for their right to self- determination. Earlier in his opening remarks, Chairman of Special Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Syed Fakhar Imam thanked AJK President, Sardar Masood Khan for briefing the members of the committee, apprising the members about the latest situation in Kashmir, and presenting the important suggestions for improvement of the committee’s functioning. He termed President Masood a veteran diplomat and an authority on the Kashmir issue.
