Sunday, Oct 16, 2016

Islamabad: Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain on Saturday reminded the United Nations of pending UN Security Council resolutions on flashpoint Kashmir issue and urged the world body to act.

He was addressing the legislative assembly of Pakistan-administered Kashmir in its capital city of Muzaffarabad, against the backdrop of simmering tensions with India and recent clashes between rival troops on the demarcation line in Kashmir.

The president said resolution of Kashmir is imperative for peace in South Asia and that it cannot be be resolved without giving right to self-determination to the people of Kashmir.

The president said India must withdraw long imposed curfew in the Indian-administered Kashmir and stop “atrocities” by its forces to quell people’s freedom struggle.

International human rights groups should be given access to the territory and detained Kashmiris should be released, he said.

Mamnoon Hussain said Pakistan shall “never leave the Kashmiris alone” and it will continue moral, political, and diplomatic support to their struggle.

Naval Chief Admiral Zakaullah, speaking at a passing out parade of cadets at the Kakul military academy in northwest Pakistan, warned that “any aggression or strategic miscalculation by India will not go unpenalized.”

The admiral said India’s “concocted stories and false allegations” against Pakistan were aimed at diverting world attention from “gross human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir.”

The Naval Chief said Pakistan’s armed forces will defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country with “full might and at all cost.”

Admiral Zakaullah reiterated the security forces’ resolve to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country.

By Mohsin Ali Correspondent

Gulf News 2016. All rights reserved.