ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari led a high-level parliamentary delegation in a briefing to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Jammu and Kashmir at the UK Parliament in Westminster. The session, hosted by APPG Chair Imran Hussain MP, focused on escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, particularly concerning developments in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Key Concerns Raised by the Delegation
The Pakistani delegation expressed profound concern over India’s recent military actions, including unprovoked strikes on civilian areas in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. They highlighted the unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty by India, describing it as a violation of international law and a direct threat to regional peace.
The delegation emphasized that the unresolved Kashmir dispute remains the central issue fueling instability in the region. They condemned India’s 2019 abrogation of Article 370, which revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, and subsequent repressive measures that have deepened the alienation of the Kashmiri people.
Human Rights Violations in IIOJK
The briefing underscored systemic human rights abuses in IIOJK, including arbitrary detentions, demographic changes, and restrictions on freedom of expression. The delegation called on the United Kingdom to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan’s Continued Support for Kashmir
The delegation reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, as guaranteed in UN Security Council resolutions. They expressed gratitude to the APPG on Jammu and Kashmir for its consistent advocacy for the rights and dignity of the Kashmiri people.
This engagement is part of Pakistan’s broader diplomatic efforts to raise international awareness about the evolving situation in Kashmir and to seek support for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue dialogue and cooperation to address the pressing issues facing the Kashmir region and to promote peace and stability in South Asia.
