Kashmir unrest: Sharif calls cabinet meeting on the issue

Concerned over the “deteriorating situation” in the violence-hit Kashmir, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has convened a special Cabinet meeting in Lahore on Friday to chalk out “future course of action” on the issue. “The Cabinet will discuss the oppressive actions of Indian security forces against innocent civilians and the overall situation in Kashmir after the brutal assassination of Burhan Wani,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

The meeting at the Governor House in Lahore will discuss the “rapidly deteriorating situation” in Kashmir and the Prime Minister will chalk out “future course of action” on the issue, it said.The statement also noted that on the directions of the Prime Minister, the foreign office summoned Indian high commissioner to the foreign office and conveyed “strong concerns of the Pakistani government and people on rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Kashmir and increasing oppression by Indian security forces.”

It said that a detailed briefing was also given to ambassadors of all permanent members of UN Security Council of UN “regarding atrocities of the security forces.” India had asked Pakistan to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs after Sharif issued a statement expressing “shock” at the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.

Sharif today said the “voice and struggle” of the people of Kashmir cannot be suppressed through use of “brutal force and human rights abuses”.He said this during a meeting with PoK Parliament Special Committee Chairman and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Lahore.

During the meeting, Rehman apprised the Prime Minister on his recent talks with separatist leaders over the “human rights violations” by Indian military and paramilitary forces in Jammu and Kashmir.Rehman said the “Kashmiri leadership looks towards Pakistan in difficult times”, according to an official statement.

Sharif said, “The government and people of Pakistan respect the sentiments of their Kashmiri brethren and will continue to support the Kashmir cause at each and every forum internationally come what may.”

“The resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is only possible by the realisation of the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as per the UNSC resolutions, through a fair and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices,” Sharif said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary also briefed the Islamabad-based Ambassadors of the member countries of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir (Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Niger) over the situation in the Valley.In the meeting, Pakistan called on the OIC member states to raise their voice against “the blatant human rights violations” of Kashmiri Muslims.The Foreign Secretary also briefed the Ambassadors of the European Union over the situation and emphasised the need for a fair and transparent inquiry against individuals responsible for these killings.