Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) has strongly rejected the recent statement issued by the Foreign Ministers of India and Afghanistan regarding Jammu and Kashmir, making it clear that the territory is not a part of India but an internationally recognized disputed region.

Terming the statement contrary to the spirit of relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, DFP Spokesperson Advocate Arshad Iqbal said that the UNSC resolutions explicitly recognize Jammu and Kashmir as an unresolved international dispute and uphold the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people through a free and impartial plebiscite.

He said that the Indian Foreign Minister's remarks amount to a blatant distortion of historical facts and a violation of international law as well as the commitments India has made before the international community and the people of Kashmir.

Taking strong exception to the statement of the Afghan Foreign Minister, Advocate Iqbal said it was highly regrettable that a brotherly Muslim country, which has itself endured the suffering of foreign domination and decades of conflict, has chosen to align with India's unlawful position on Kashmir. 'By supporting India's false narrative, the Afghan Foreign Minister has acted in clear contravention of UNSC resolutions,' he added.

'Instead of expressing solidarity with the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir and supporting their legitimate and internationally recognized struggle, the Afghan Foreign Minister has sought to appease New Delhi,' the spokesperson said. Reiterating that the ongoing freedom movement in Jammu and Kashmir is a lawful and peaceful struggle for the right to self-determination, he said this right has been recognized by the United Nations and the international community.

Describing India as an occupying power, Advocate Iqbal said that India has been illegally and forcibly holding Jammu and Kashmir since 1947. Kashmiris, he said, have never accepted India's dominance over the region.