A delegation from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) decided to visit the Kashmir region during its visit to Pakistan. Immediately, India barred these international representatives from entering Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) while we have given them full access to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The idea behind visiting IIOJK was to allow neutrals to witness the unimaginable oppression suffered by the people. It is this degree of transparency that sets us apart from India and its tyrannical regime in the region.
The OIC delegation consists of representatives from the UAE, Turkey, Tunisia, Uganda, Morocco, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Nigeria and Gabon. Each expressed their desire to indulge in a conversation with local leaders, along with the victims of prolonged violence at the hands of the India government, particularly along the Line of Control (LoC). Our government has promised to facilitate each of these objectives so that the Kashmiri cause is given the attention that it deserves. Opportunities like this come very seldom and it would be best to facilitate the public recognition of the Indian perpetuation of brutal conditions in Kashmir.
Pakistan has always been clear in its intent to further Kashmir’s right to self-determination and highlight the human rights violations that occur on a daily basis in IIOJK. Blinding people through the use of pellet guns, suppressing information, endorsing censorship, restricting movement, denying medical services, jeopardising people’s security and subjecting them to arbitrary aggression is the norm in IIOJK. Perhaps it is exactly this state-sponsored terrorism that India wants to shield from the OIC by denying neutral observes access into their administered territory. Surely the international community will take notice of this hesitation and explore the cause behind it as well.
On our front, the government has been fighting for Kashmiri rights tirelessly. Earlier, PM Imran Khan addressed the OIC himself, urged the global community to direct its attention and resources to the fight for Kashmir’s independence. Time and again, we have brought to light the many unconstitutional actions of the Indian government and we must continue to do so for as long as it takes.​
Published in Thenation on 7th August 2021