Indian unilateral action in IoK is questionable: British delegation

A five member British parliamentary delegation headed by Member Parliament Khalid Mahmood has said Britain will continue to raise its voice at every forum for peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.

The delegation said this while talking to Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser in Islamabad on Monday.

The British delegation noted that peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute will guarantee regional security.

In his remarks, Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser said British parliament should use its influence for resolution of Kashmir dispute as per aspirations of Kashmiri people. The speaker pointed out that Kashmir dispute is an unfinished agenda of the partition of the sub-continent.

Asad Qaiser said continuation of curfew in occupied Kashmir and denying the Kashmiri people their religious freedom is a serious violation of human rights. He said the world should take notice of the human rights violations in the occupied territory.

Referring to bilateral relations, the speaker said Pakistan desires to strengthen its relations with Britain in diverse fields including economy, trade and education.

He also stressed for greater parliamentary exchanges between the two countries in order to learn from each other's experiences.

The British delegation also expressed the desire to further expand and strengthen relations with Pakistan in different fields.

Later addressing a news conference, the British parliamentary delegation said the world should take notice of grave human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir.

Voicing concerns over the prevailing situation in occupied Kashmir, the parliamentary delegation said the world must act now before it is too late.

The British delegation said the Indian unilateral action of revoking the special status of the territory is questionable. He said the very action is in contravention of India's own constitution as well as the UN Security Council resolutions and international laws.

The British members of Parliament said any change in the status of Kashmir can be made with the consent of Kashmiri people. They asked India to reverse its unilateral decision.

The delegation was appreciative of the UN Security Council meeting on Kashmir dispute but stressed the world body must call spade a spade on the situation in IOK. They said that they stand for justice and will also visit the Line of Control to observe the situation.

In his remarks on the occasion, Chairman of Special Committee on Kashmir Fakhar Imam said partition of the sub-continent is incomplete without resolution of festering Kashmir dispute. He said the UN Security Council meeting on Kashmir is a recognition of the fact that Kashmir is a disputed territory.

He said the world community especially the five permanent members of the UN Security Council should call for lifting of curfew and all sorts of restrictions in occupied Kashmir.