Date:14/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/14/stories/2008081459641200.htm

Front Page

Pakistan flays killing of Hurriyat leader

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party-led government moved a resolution in the National Assembly on Wednesday condemning India for the killing of Hurriyat leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz by security forces in Kashmir, and reaffirming “political, moral and diplomatic support” for the Kashmiri struggle.

The resolution, which was moved by Pakistan Information Minister Sherry Rehman, was adopted unanimously by the Lower House of Parliament.

“The National Assembly of Pakistan expresses its deep condolences over the Shahadat of Sheikh Abdul Aziz and several other Kashmiris by the Indian security forces,” the resolution stated. “We condemn the excessive and brutal use of force by the Indian security forces against the innocent civilian population of Indian Occupied Kashmir and Valley.”

The resolution called for “immediate steps” to address the situation and “an end to unwarranted use of force and gross human rights violations against the innocent Kashmiris.”

The National Assembly also expressed concern over the security forces’ attack on Muslims and their properties and the continuing economic blockade of the Valley.

The resolution reaffirmed “political, moral and diplomatic support of the people and the government of Pakistan to the Kashmiri people in their struggle to achieve their rights, including the right to self-determination,” and called for an “early, just, durable and peaceful settlement of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant U.N. resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people.”

The House also called upon the international community, particularly the U.N. and human rights organisations, to take note of the deteriorating situation in the Kashmir Valley.

The resolution called upon these organisations to “use their good offices to urge India to stop the atrocities against unarmed civilian Kashmiris.”

After Ms. Rehman moved the resolution, Opposition’s Chief Whip Riaz Hussain Pirzada said it should be considered as a “joint resolution” from all the members, and it was adopted unanimously.