NEW YORK – Reaffirming Pakistan’s intention to take the case of India’s“illegal” annexation of occupied Kashmir to the UN Security Council,Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi has said that her government was prepared to useany diplomatic and political option to secure justice for the oppressedKashmiri people.
“We are ready for bilateral, multilateral any format (of mediation) so longas we can get justice for the people of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” shesaid in an interview with Sky News, a British television network, in thecourse of her intense lobbying efforts at the United Nations.“When the other country (India) does not want to be a partner for peace, wethen look towards the world. And we look towards mediators, we look towardsUnited Nations,” the Pakistani envoy remarked.
Ms. Lodhi has already briefed Polish Ambassador Joanna Wronecka, who is thepresident of the 15-member Council for the month of August, on the gravecrisis sparked off by India’s action in Kashmir. She has also met a numberof her counterparts, including those who are permanent and non-permanentCouncil members, as well as senior U.N. officials.
Replying to questions, Ambassador Lodhi expressed satisfaction on UNSecretary-General Antonio Guterres’ statement on the escalating crisis,saying it would be up to the Security Council now to address this issue.
“It (the crisis) is a major threat to international peace and security,”the Pakistani envoy said. “It is also an issue of whether we want to livein a rules-based international order where people abide by Security Councilresolutions or do we want to live in a world where countries get up andunilaterally take actions that pose a threat to not just their neighbourbut to the whole world actually.
Pakistan, she said, does not wish to see a conflict and would not doanything anything to escalate the situation.
“War is not on the table,” the envoy said.
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“The aggressor and the country that escalated the situation and taken us tothe edge of the precipice is India, and I think what we will do at theUnited Nations is to take up the issue at the Security Council. after allthe UN has an outstanding responsibilities to deal with this issue.”In this regard, Ambassador Lodhi said there were as many as 11 SecurityCouncil resolutions that promise the right of self-determination to theKashmiri people and which now must be implemented.
“What is at stake here is the destiny, the future and the lives of over 14million people who been turned into hostages, there is huge militarypresence in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir so I think what you will see mycountry doing is to take this issue up at the diplomatic level and use allpolitical means to ensure that we get justice for the Kashmiri people,” shesaid.
“Our message to the Kashmiri people is (that) you are not alone, you willnever be alone, we are with you and we will continue to do whatever we canto ensure that your plight (is ended).
“Ultimately this issue, in the first instance, this issue is about humansuffering, it’s about the plight of the people who have been deprived oftheir liberty for over 70 years and now they are on the edge of beingdeprived of everything else. They cannot leave their homes, their leadershave been arrested, there are food shortages and above all now there is anassault on their very identity. So, Pakistan will stand with the people ofKashmir and we will do whatever we can to ensure that there is justice,”the envoy said.
“We would like the international community to step up to the plate, tostand on the side of law, justice and fairness and also to deliver on thepledges that were made to the people of Kashmir by the Indian leadershipitself years and years ago, Indian leaders pledged and promised aplebiscite for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, so that they could freelydecide their destiny. So, if you believe in democracy and if you believe inliberty and if you believe in human rights. Why is it denied to the peopleof Occupied Kashmir?”
