Islamabad: The General Secretary of the Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP), Dr. Ghulam Rasool, has welcomed the United Nations' reaffirmation that Jammu and Kashmir remains a disputed and unresolved issue, and urged the UN to move beyond reiterating its longstanding position and take practical and effective measures to implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Dr. Ghulam Rasool said that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute has remained on the agenda of the UN Security Council for decades. The relevant Security Council resolutions recognise the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to determine their political future and provide a framework for the peaceful resolution of the dispute. He said that these resolutions are not merely historical documents but represent the international community's commitments and the credibility of the UN system for maintaining international peace and security. Failure to implement its own resolutions not only undermines the credibility of the United Nations but also sets a dangerous precedent for the resolution of other longstanding conflicts.
Dr. Ghulam Rasool stressed that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is not merely a political issue concerning the future of the Kashmiri people; it is directly linked to peace and stability in South Asia. The region is home to three nuclear powers, making any miscalculation, escalation or military confrontation potentially catastrophic not only for the region but for international peace and security as well. He also expressed deep concern over the continued detention of thousands of Kashmiri political activists, leaders and ordinary citizens in various jails and detention centres. He said that many detainees continue to face serious difficulties concerning their basic human, legal and medical rights, while restrictions on political activity and freedom of expression have further aggravated the situation.
The JKDFP General Secretary called upon the UN Secretary-General, members of the Security Council and international human rights organisations to take practical measures to protect the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people, ensure independent monitoring of the situation in prisons and detention centres, and exert effective diplomatic pressure for the protection of human rights in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Ghulam Rasool reiterated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir must be allowed to exercise their right to determine their own political future in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Denying or indefinitely postponing this right is not only unjust to the Kashmiri people but also remains a major obstacle to lasting peace in South Asia. He urged the United Nations to give renewed priority to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, establish an effective mechanism for implementing the relevant Security Council resolutions, and facilitate a meaningful political process involving India, Pakistan and the genuine representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The JKDFP believes that peace in Jammu and Kashmir and lasting stability in South Asia cannot be achieved through force, repression or unilateral measures, but through justice, respect for the right to self-determination, meaningful dialogue and impartial implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.