ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ambassador to Riyadh, Raja Ali Ejaz on Wednesday briefed prominent Saudi editors and journalists regarding the deteriorating human rights situation in Indian administered Kashmir, the Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh said in a statement.
“Ambassador (Ejaz) talked about the genesis of Kashmir dispute and highlighted United Nations Security Council resolutions that promised right of self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” the embassy said.
Tensions soared high between India and Pakistan since New Delhi revoked the special constitutional status of the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir under its administrative control by abolishing Article 370 of the Indian constitution on August 5.
Islamabad reacted with fury to India’s decision, cutting trade and transport ties and expelling India’s ambassador.
The Pakistani envoy emphasized that Indian decision to repeal Article 370 is primarily meant to change the demography of Kashmir. “However, the worst part is the restrictions in movement and communication; it is literal imprisonment of eight million Kashmiris in their homes,” he added.
He reiterated Pakistan’s political, diplomatic and moral support for Kashmiri people and highlighted that former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru also made a commitment to decide the fate of the state as per the will of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “But Kashmiris were betrayed. Nonetheless, the Kashmiris persisted with their valiant and just struggle for their rights till today,” Ejaz told.
He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s unequivocal support for the people of Kashmir in the United Nations General Assembly represents the sentiments of Pakistani people.
PM Khan visited the Kingdom on September 19 and briefed the Saudi leadership about the situation in Kashmir, ahead of his trip to New York to attend the 74th session of the UNGA.
After the meeting with the Saudi media personnel, the ambassador thanked the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques, HM King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman “for their support for the oppressed people of Kashmir,” the statement added.
He also thanked the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and member countries “for their continued support against human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir,” the statement read.
Originally published on www.arabnews.com