ISLAMABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan Thursday paid tribute to thousands of women martyred during their struggle in held Kashmir against Indian rule.
"On the occasion of International Women Day, I also pay tribute to over 23,000 Kashmiri widows whose lives have been shattered due to atrocities by the Indian security forces and over 11,000 women, who were raped," he said while addressing a press conference.
He said international human rights organizations raised their voices against rape incidents in any part of the world, except Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK). Recently an eight-year old girl was killed after being raped by the Indian security forces personnel in the IoK, he added.
He appealed to the international community to take special measures for ensuring protection of women in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Sardar Masood said during his recent visits to the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy, he highlighted Indian brutalities being perpetrated against the Kashmiri people and asked the high officials of European countries to support the just cause of Kashmiris who were struggling for their right to self-determination.
To a question, he said unlike India, Pakistan was fully facilitating and cooperating with the United Nations Military Observer Group for Pakistan and India.
Keeping in view the gravity of IoK situation, he suggested the United Nations to increase the number of its observers and their powers so that they could effectively play their role in peace keeping in the area.
Replying to another question, Sardar Masood said the people living along the Line of Control were vulnerable to Indian unprovoked firing and both the federal and AJK governments and the Pakistan Army were preparing an integrated plan to permanently shift then to safe places. APP