ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Sunday reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to supporting the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in securing their right to self-determination, as the world observes Right to Self-Determination Day for the Kashmiri people.
In a statement, Aleem Khan said the right to self-determination is a fundamental and inalienable right guaranteed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on January 5, 1949, through a resolution adopted by the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP). He described self-determination as a core principle of international law.
The minister said that despite the Kashmiri people being promised a free and fair plebiscite, India has continued policies aimed at altering the demographic character of the occupied territory. He pointed to the illegal revocation of Articles 370 and 35A, ongoing human rights violations, and restrictions on media freedom in IIOJK.
Aleem Khan stressed that the international community, particularly the United Nations, must move beyond rhetoric and ensure the effective implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.
He reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to extend full moral, political and diplomatic support to the just struggle of the Kashmiri people until they are able to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
