Tag: IIOJK

  • ‘Ill-informed, ignorant, wanted to blame Pakistan for Pulwama’: Former Indian Governor on Modi

    ‘Ill-informed, ignorant, wanted to blame Pakistan for Pulwama’: Former Indian Governor on Modi

    Satya Pal Malik, the last governor of the now Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) before it was divided has claimed that Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is extremely “ill-informed’.

    Malik, who was governor during the Pulwama terror attack of February 2019 and during the scrapping of Article 370 in August the same year, said that Modi is “ignorant” about Kashmir and told him [Malik] not to speak about the Union home ministry’s lapses which led to the killing of dozens of paramilitary troops in India-held Jammu and Kashmir.

    He said removing Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood was a mistake and it should be restored immediately. He said, “Modi mast hain apne mein – to hell with it! This is his attitude.”

    Conversing with acclaimed Indian journalist Karan Thapar, Malik said during the interview with The Wire, that he immediately realised that Modi wanted to use the Pulwama attack to blame Pakis­tan for the benefit of his government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    The former Indian governor said, “Mein safely keh sakta hoon Prime Minister ko corruption se bahut nafrat nahin hain” (‘I can safely say the PM has no real problem with corruption’). 

    He further revealed that the attack on the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Pulwama was a result of “incompetence” and “carelessness” by the Indian system, specifically the CRPF and the home min­i­­stry. Malik gave details of how the CRPF had asked for aircraft to transport its personnel, but was refused by the home ministry.

    He said all of these lapses were raised by him directly when Modi called him from outside Corbett Park, shortly after the Pulwama attack. He said the prime minister told him to keep quiet about this and not tell anyone.

  • ‘Hold India accountable’: PM Shehbaz, President Alvi expressed solidarity with Kashmiris on Black Day

    ‘Hold India accountable’: PM Shehbaz, President Alvi expressed solidarity with Kashmiris on Black Day

    On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of India’s illegitimate occupation of Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and others have released messages to mark the sombre day.

    “This day is a testament to Kashmiris’ legendary courage and resilience they have shown in standing up to the Indian occupation forces over the last 75 years,” the Prime Minister said in his message shared on Twitter.

    In his tweet, the Premier urged the world to not “turn a blind eye” to human rights abuses in IIOJK.

    Similarly, Dr Arif Alvi called upon the international community to take practical steps to hold India accountable for its “egregious human rights violations in IIOJK”.

    The President reiterated Pakistan’s call for the immediate reversal of the Indian government’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, which stripped the IIOJK of its special status under the Indian constitution.

    In an official message, Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also paid tribute to Kashmiris for rendering sacrifices.

    “October 27 is the darkest day in the history of India which emerged as the worst dictator and colonialist country in the world 75 years ago,” Bilawal was quoted by Radio Pakistan.

    Federal Minister for Climate Change, Senator Sherry Rehman also expressed solidarity with Kashmiri brothers and sisters.

    “The people of Kashmir are still paying the price of this occupation. For the past 75 years, India has been violating the resolutions of the United Nations and oppressing Kashmiris”, the federal minister said in a tweet.

    It should be noted that Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and the world over are observing Black Day today (Thursday). The day will be marked by a complete shutdown and civil curfew by the people in IIOJK.

  • Pakistan categorically rejects Narendra Modi’s remarks about Kashmir

    Pakistan categorically rejects Narendra Modi’s remarks about Kashmir

    Pakistan on Tuesday said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks about resolving the Kashmir issue are false and misleading.

    Modi, at a rally in Gujarat on Monday, claimed that he had, “resolved the Kashmir issue”.

    “As I am following the footsteps of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (former Indian Congress leader), I have values of the land of Sardar and that was the reason I resolved the problem of Kashmir and paid true tributes to Sardar Patel,” Modi was quoted as saying by the Indian media.

    Foreign Office (FO) called on India to ensure that the people of Kashmir are accorded their inalienable right to self-determination, while demanding that the Indian leadership, instead of making “delusional” statements about having resolved the Kashmir issue, must deliver on their commitments.

    The FO said that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised dispute, the resolution of which has been on the agenda of the United Nations since 1948.

    FO said further stated that, “India’s craftily staged visits to the occupied territory choreographed launches of so-called development projects in a bid to create a facade of normalcy will neither dampen the spirit of the Kashmiris nor would it deceive the world into believing India’s deception.”

    “Pakistan has consistently called upon the international community to assume its role and responsibility with regards to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) and the ongoing Indian atrocities in the occupied territory.”

    The FO noted that India must also be held responsible for its “nefarious scheme of altering the demography of IIOJK”, as well as for its brutal repression of innocent Kashmiris.

    “Pakistan reiterates its call on human rights and humanitarian organizations to condemn India’s state terrorism in IIOJK and demand an immediate reversal of the Indian government’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019,” the statement concluded.

  • ‘Germany has role and responsibility with regard to situation in Kashmir’: German Foreign Minister

    German Foreign Minister (FM), Annalena Baerbock, has said in Berlin that the country has a role and responsibility with regard to the situation in Kashmir.

    Speaking at the joint press conference on Friday with her Pakistani counterpart, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, she said, “Germany has a role and responsibility with regard to the situation in Kashmir. Therefore, we support intensively the engagement of the United Nations (UN), to find peaceful solutions in the region.”

    Talking about the tensions between India and Pakistan, the minister said, “We support all the engagement with regard to the ceasefire, however, there is a tension which minister [Bilawal] has described so we encourage both Pakistan and India to follow the track of the ceasefire, to follow the track of UN and intensify the political dialogue and also the political and practical cooperation in the region.”

    Moreover, Baerbock showed support for the county by saying that “Pakistan could rely on the support of the German people and government”.

    Bilawal, on the occasion, thanked Germany, and said that the total amount of aid from Germany had reached €60 million for that “we are incredibly grateful to the German people and the government”.

    He also highlighted grave human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and said that the alarming situation posed risks to regional peace and stability.

    The Pakistani foreign minister described his meeting with Baerbock as a “pleasure” and invited her to visit Pakistan.

    In a tweet, he said, “Pleasure meeting for the second time this year with Annalena Baerbock at the German foreign office. Invited her to visit Pakistan to witness firsthand devastation caused by floods in.”

    Bilawal reached Berlin on Friday on his first visit.

  • ‘Today’s India is changed’: Bilawal on getting no flood aid from India

    ‘Today’s India is changed’: Bilawal on getting no flood aid from India

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, in an interview with France 24, said that Pakistan is grateful for the global assistance it has received however the country does not want aid, it wants justice.

    He said, “Our message is that we don’t want to beg, we don’t want aid, we want justice. This is a global catastrophe as a result of global action and it requires a global situation.”

    When asked if India had offered any help and whether Pakistan had asked for any, the minister termed Pakistan-India relations as “complicated”.

    “We have a long and complicated history. unfortunately, India today is a changed India and is no longer the secular country promised by its founding fathers for all its citizens,” he said.

    He, further added that the country “is increasingly becoming a Hindu-supremacist India at the expense of its Christian and Muslim minorities not only within India but unfortunately in the disputed region of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).”

    He said Pakistan is seeing multiple challenges in the future such as health catastrophe, disease epidemics, crop shortage, livestock loss, food security, and more. However, he expressed hope saying, “Every crisis creates an opportunity and in this crisis, the opportunity is that we must build back in a more resilient way and greener way.”

    On Afghanistan and its tough rules and regulations on women, Bilawal said Pakistan had still not officially recognised the Afghan government.

    He said it would be in the Afghan government’s favour to fulfil its promises to the international community and its nation to gain legitimacy and a path to international recognition.

    When asked about the recent protest happening in Iran over a young woman’s death allegedly because of the morality police, Bilawal said he had seen the Iranian foreign minister’s response on the issue and said he trusted the neighbour to “keep to their word” for an incident inquiry despite “living in extremely difficult circumstances”.

  • Kashmiri freedom fighter Syed Ali Shah Geelani honoured on first death anniversary

    Kashmiri freedom fighter Syed Ali Shah Geelani honoured on first death anniversary

    People living on both sides of the border and across the globe are observing the first death anniversary of veteran Kashmiri separatist leader and former chief of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

    Marking one year since the great freedom fighter’s passing, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif said that Geelani “still remains as relevant to the freedom struggle today as he was in life”.

    In a tweet, the premier said, “Syed Ali Geelani personified the very essence of Kashmiris’ struggle. Frail in body but firm in resolve, he powered the resistance movement with belief in the idea of freedom from Indian yoke.”

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said today he has joined the Kashmiri people “in paying rich tribute to the bravest and most ardent advocate of Kashmir’s freedom struggle”.

    “Geelani sb’s memory will continue to inspire Kashmiris in their quest for a future free from Indian occupation”, he added.

    Earlier in the day, Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also took to Twitter to pay tribute to the veteran Kashmiri separatist leader.

    “Pakistan nation pays tribute to brave Syed Ali Shah Geelani for epic resistance and fight against worst Indian oppression/atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu Kashmir (IIOJK). His lifelong struggle for right to self-determination as per aspirations of people of Kashmir and UN resolutions shall always inspire generations to come,” the tweet said.

    Former Human Rights Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shireen Mazari said, “Today is the death anniversary of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a symbol of Kashmiri’s struggle against India’s illegal occupation of IIOJK. His suffering along with ongoing persecution and torture of Kashmiri leaders by fascist Modi govt should be remembered before imported govt opens trade with India.”

    The government of Pakistan gave a Nishan-e-Pakistan to Geelani to honour his struggle for the freedom of IIOJK. He was placed on house arrest after August 5, 2019 when the Indian government revocated the special constitutional status of Kashmir. He passed away while still confined to his home.

  • ‘Largest prison in the world’: Politicians condemn atrocities in occupied Kashmir

    ‘Largest prison in the world’: Politicians condemn atrocities in occupied Kashmir

    Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir is being observed today in Pakistan to mark the day when Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi revoked the special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s (IIOJK). In violation of the United Nations (UN) resolutions and international law, India scrapped Articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian Constitution that granted special autonomous status to IIOJK and imposed a military siege on the territory on August 5, 2019.

    Pakistani politicians expressed solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that India’s actions are “aimed at altering the demographic structure of the occupied territory”.

    “The Jammu and Kashmir dispute has been a battle of hope against overwhelming odds, of courage against fear and of sacrifice against tyranny.”

    The premier also paid tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK for their sacrifices and courage.

    “Pakistan will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their just struggle. We call upon international community to take practical steps to hold India accountable for its gross and widespread human rights violations in IIOJK and to facilitate a peaceful resolution of this long-standing dispute,” tweeted President Dr Arif Alvi.

    The president further added, “The resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UNSC Resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people is the only way to ensure durable peace and stability in the region.”

    “More than 1.5 billion people in the region deserve to see the dawn of peace and prosperity, which has been held hostage by India in IIOJK.”

    Similarly, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said that the Indian authorities assumed that their moves would crush the spirit of Kashmiri resistance “but the Kashmiris’ spirit of resistance became stronger and it continues to strengthen”.

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari released a video message on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir.

    He said that the presence of the Indian troops has turned occupied Kashmir into the most militarised region in the world.

    “Over the past seven decades, three generations of Kashmiris have awaited for the world community and UN to honour their solemn commitment.”

    Former FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi called India a rogue state.

    “India continues to act as a rogue state with unrelenting violence in #IIOJK. Yet indigenous resistance movement for Kashmiri’s inalienable right to self-determination stands strong. Pakistan will always stand by ppl of Kashmir.”

    “Modi government has made IIJOK the largest prison in the world,” tweeted federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman.

  • ‘A reminder of sacrifices’: Pakistan observes Kashmir Martyrs’ Day

    ‘A reminder of sacrifices’: Pakistan observes Kashmir Martyrs’ Day

    On the occasion of Kashmir Martyrs’ Day today (Wednesday), Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has said it is a reminder of the sacrifices that Kashmiris have rendered for their inalienable and UN-sanctioned right to self-determination.

    In a tweet, he further said, “The flame of freedom from the Indian yoke has been kept alive by the generations of Kashmiris in the face of Indian tyranny and oppression.”

    In a statement, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said the government and Pakistanis are solemnly observing the 91st Kashmir Martyrs’ Day.

    Moreover, Ahmad said Kashmiris are still struggling against India’s illegal occupation. He urged India to immediately halt its state-terrorism in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), cease all human rights violations, release all political prisoners, lift the in-human military siege, stop its attempts to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory, and let the Kashmiri people exercise their legitimate right to self-determination.

    Ambassador of Pakistan to Germany Dr Mohammad Faisal paid homage to the Kashmiri martyrs. He said, “We observe 91st Youm-e-Shuhada-e-Kashmir (Kashmir Martyrs’ Day) paying homage to 22 Kashmiri martyrs, who rendered the ultimate sacrifice, braving the indiscriminate force unleashed on them in 1931 by the Dogra forces. We stand with our Kashmiri brethren.”

    People all over the world are observing Kashmir Martyrs’ Day to pay homage to the martyrs of July 13, 1931 and all other Kashmiri martyrs.

    According to Radio Pakistan, IIOJK is in complete shutdown today. The Indian authorities did not allow people to visit the Martyrs’ Graveyard to pay their tributes.

  • PTI rejects PM Shehbaz letter of regional peace, security to Modi

    PTI rejects PM Shehbaz letter of regional peace, security to Modi

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written a letter in response to Indian PM Narendra Modi’s letter. In his letter, Modi had expressed his desire for developing constructive relations with Pakistan.

    “Reciprocating your sentiments, I wish to convey that Pakistan remains committed to the maintenance of regional peace and security. Our sacrifices and contributions in fighting and eliminating terrorism are well known and globally acknowledged,” wrote PM Shehbaz.

    PM Shehbaz added that peaceful and cooperative ties between Pakistan and India are “imperative for the progress and socio-economic uplift of the people of the two countries as well as for the region”.

    “This can be best achieved through meaningful engagement and peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, including the core issue of Jammu & Kashmir,” wrote PM Shehbaz. “Let’s secure peace and work for the progress and prosperity of our people.”

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry criticised Shehbaz Sharif’s letter to Modi.

    “We reject this letter. We will not let imported government to bargain away Kashmir. Until and unless Modi restores Kashmir’s status, any offer to talk will tantamount to betraying the people of Kashmir.”

  • ‘The UN must take action on India’s war crimes: PM Khan expresses solidarity with Kashmiris

    ‘The UN must take action on India’s war crimes: PM Khan expresses solidarity with Kashmiris

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Wednesday berated the Narendra Modi-led Indian government for “brazenly” violating the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.

    PM Khan, expressing his solidarity with Kashmiris, took to Twitter and said the “UNSC commitment of a United Nations (UN)-supervised plebiscite in Kashmir remains unfulfilled” due to the attitude of the Modi government.

    He added that the international community, especially the UN, must take action against India’s war crimes and crimes against humanity in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

    “Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to the just Kashmiri struggle for self-determination,” he added.

    In a separate message on the occasion, the prime minister, while reminding the world community that it cannot abandon its moral and legal responsibilities towards Kashmiris, said that durable peace in South Asia is contingent upon peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with international legitimacy.

    “While observing 5th of January as the Right to Self-Determination Day for the Kashmiris, we reiterate our commitment to uphold the fundamental human rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and pay homage to the Kashmiris’ just struggle spanning over more than seven decades,” he said.

    “We are commemorating this day to remind the world community that it cannot abandon its moral and legal responsibilities towards the Kashmiri people.”