Protest in Pakistan against killings in Kashmir

‘Pakistan should adopt coherent Kashmir policy’
NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, July 6: Hundreds of Kashmirs living in Rawalpindi and Islamabad Tuesday staged a sit-in on to protest the unabated killings in Kashmir.
The protesters with placards were led by leaders of both factions of Hurriyat conference, JKLF members and representatives of United Jihad Council.
This was for the first time that Kashmiri community living in the suburbs of the twin cities joined the protests and demanded that the world community should take cognizance of the human rights violations in Kashmir.
Addressing the gathering, the Kashmiri leaders while denouncing the recent killings in the valley termed it a deep-rooted conspiracy to target the new generation.
Terming the ongoing struggle for right to self-determination as a just and globally recognized legitimate struggle they said, “Our demand is a just demand, which was upheld by the international community besides the leadership of India and Pakistan”.
Referring to India-Pakistan dialogue, they said that Kashmiris have always supported the peace talks with a view that the two countries would resolve the dispute of Kashmir through peaceful negotiations.
Urging the government of Pakistan to pay heed to the human rights situation in Kashmir, they said under the circumstances there was no scope of dialogue.
“India’s peace talks with Pakistan and massacre of innocent Kashmiris cannot go together,” they said.
“The red-carpet welcome given to Indian home minister by Pakistani government amounted to rubbing salt on the bleeding wounds of Kashmiris,” they added.
“Being an important party to the dispute, the Pakistan government should adopt a coherent policy that would reflect the true sentiments and aspirations of Kashmiris as well as the people of Pakistan,” they said.
They also urged the Pakistani print and electronic media to play pro-active role in highlighting the plight of people of Kashmir.
Those who spoke on the occasion included, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Ghulam Nabi Nowsheri, Rafique Ahmed Dar and Sheikh Yaqoob. Chairman of United Jihad Council Syed Salah-u-din also spoke on the occasion. Pertinently, the UJC leadership including deputy chairman Muhammad Usman, general secretary Sheikh Jameel-ur-Rehman and others took part in the rally.