Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon on Monday called for convening a national conference on Kashmir to forge broader political consensus and strengthen Pakistan’s advocacy for the Kashmiri cause at the international level.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) senior leader and Member of the National Assembly Dr. Farooq Sattar at the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Secretariat in Islamabad. Former federal minister Amin Ul Haque, Zahid Malik, Shah Faisal and Sundas Malik also attended the meeting.
Noon paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people and reiterated Pakistan’s continued political, diplomatic and moral support for their right to self-determination. He described Pakistan’s success against India in the recent Marka-e-Haq as a historic achievement and expressed concern over the continued detention of Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
He also accused India of attempting to alter the demographic composition of the disputed territory through the issuance of what he described as “fake domiciles,” calling the move a violation of international law and United Nations resolutions.
The minister said a ‘National Conference on Kashmir’ should bring together all political parties, parliamentarians, experts, academics, civil society representatives, youth and Kashmiri leadership to reinforce national unity on the issue and present the Kashmiri perspective more effectively before the international community.
Speaking on the occasion, Sundas Malik stressed the need to highlight the Kashmir issue more effectively at the global level and appreciated Noon’s continued efforts for the Kashmir cause.
Dr. Farooq Sattar said MQM-P was not represented on the parliamentary committee dealing with Kashmir and emphasized that all political parties should be included in work related to the issue. Noon endorsed the proposal, saying national unity and broad political consensus were essential on Kashmir.
Sattar also said a lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute could only be achieved through political and diplomatic means.
The meeting concluded with the minister presenting bouquets and traditional Kashmiri scarves to the participants as commemorative gifts.
