In a statement to the United Nations, Pakistan has described India’s occupation of Jammu and Kashmir as the “worst manifestation of modern-day colonialism.” Pakistan has called on the UN to actively pursue a peaceful resolution to the longstanding Kashmir dispute, adhering to Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s representative to the United Nations, highlighted that despite the decolonization process leading to the independence of 80 former colonies since 1946, there remain territories where the right to self-determination is denied, with Kashmir and Palestine being the most prominent examples.
Ambassador Akram emphasized that the right to self-determination for the Kashmiri people has been explicitly recognized in UN Security Council Resolution 47 and subsequent resolutions. These resolutions were accepted by both India and Pakistan, and under Article 25 of the UN Charter, both nations are obligated to implement them.
Regarding the Middle East conflict, Ambassador Akram asserted that lasting peace can only be achieved through the two-state solution and the establishment of a viable, independent, and contiguous State of Palestine, with its capital in Al-Quds Al-Sharif and based on pre-1967 borders.
Ambassador Akram also discussed India’s actions in Kashmir, including the annexation of the region on August 5, 2019, which he termed “unilateral and illegal.” He cited Security Council Resolution 122 (1957) to argue that such unilateral actions do not constitute a disposition of the state.
Furthermore, he highlighted the severe human rights violations occurring in Kashmir, including extrajudicial killings, abductions, and enforced disappearances. He described India’s actions as an attempt to change the demographics of the region and pointed out the issuance of fake domicile certificates to non-Kashmiri Hindus.
Ambassador Akram warned that India’s campaign in Kashmir is driven by the ideology of ‘Hindutva,’ which promotes Hindu supremacy and discrimination against Muslims. He noted that Genocide Watch has raised concerns about the possibility of genocide in both occupied Jammu and Kashmir and within India itself.
Ambassador Akram concluded by stressing that resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is crucial for achieving lasting peace in South Asia. He called on India to stop human rights violations, reverse demographic changes, and revoke the unilateral measures imposed on Kashmir since August 5, 2019, to create conditions conducive to dialogue and a peaceful settlement of the issue.