| Islamabad, November 10, 2010 |
Pakistan will Continue its Support for Kashmir |
PAKISTAN WILL CONTINUE ITS SUPPORT FOR KASHMIR
Pakistan will continue its moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri 
people in their just struggle for the right to self-determination. Maulana Fazl ur Rahman, the Chairman, Parliamentary Kashmir Committee gave this assurance to Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, prominent Kashmiri leader and AJK Information Minister Mehmood Riaz, who called on him today in the Parliament House.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee briefed the guests on the efforts the Kashmir Committee was making for the projection of the Kashmir issue. He said that President Obama had accepted the Kashmir as an outstanding issue issue and advised the Indian leadership to resolve tension in the region. The Chairman Kashmir Committee urged the Indian leadership not to shun reality and resolve the Kashmir issue urgently for the sake of peace in the South Asia.
Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman stated that Pakistan had reservations regarding the Indian bid for permanent seat at the UN Security Council. He said, a country which has defied the UN Security Council Resolutions for the last 62 years has no right to become its permanent member. He also called upon the world community to oppose the Indian efforts to this effect, unless India resolves the Kashmir issue.
Dr. Fai appreciated the efforts of the Kashmir Committee to highlight the Kashmir issue.
| Islamabad, November 5, 2010 |
No Dialogue with India Without Kashmir |
NO DIALOGUE WITH INDIA WITHOUT KASHMIR
The Kashmir Committee has categorically told the Foreign Office that no dialogue should be held with India without the Kashmir issue. The Kashmir Committee which met today in the Parliament House, was presided over by Maulana Fazl ur Rahman, the Chairman. The Foreign Office gave briefing on the current situation in the Occupied Kashmir. The Foreign Office team, led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, included Special Secretary Muhammad Haroon Shaukat, Additional Secretary Hassan Javed and Director Generals Afrasiab & Dr. Sohail Khan.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee gave an overview of the last two meetings of the Kashmir Committee, held at Muzaffarabad and Islamabad on 28th October and November 1, 2010, respectively. He said, the Committee Members presented a Memorandum on 27th October at the office of the UN Representative in Islamabad with reference to the 'Black Day' i.e. 27th October, 1947, when India occupied the State of Jammu and Kashmir forcibly. Next day, the meeting at Muzaffarabad was held to express solidarity with the Kashmiris. The Chairman said, we are meeting today in connection with the "Jammu Massacre" held on 4 – 6 November, 1947. He also informed the Committee that he had addressed six Conferences in Pakistan and six Conferences in AJK on Kashmir. He was also written letters to the Governors, the Chief Ministers, the Speakers of Provincial Assemblies and Pak Representative Abroad to accelerate their efforts for projection of the Kashmir issue.
The Foreign Office gave a detailed update on the situation in the Occupied Kashmir. It was told that the Composite Dialogue is on the hold since the Mumbai Incident and no further meetings could be held for resolution of the outstanding problems with India. Despite the Indian state terrorism, the Kashmiris are agitating for freedom relentlessly.
The Kashmir Committee condemned the Indian State terrorism in the Occupied Kashmir and misbehavior of Shiv Sena workers with the Kashmiri leaders, like Shabbir Shah and Syed Ali Gillani. The Committee urged upon India to withdraw its fences and black laws from the occupied Kashmir and lift curfew and censor on media there. Foreign media and human rights organizations should be allowed to visit the occupied territory. The Members of Kashmir Committee also lauded the efforts of the Chairman for projection of the Kashmir issue.
The Kashmir Committee expressed its displeasure for supporting the candidature of India for seat in UN Security Council as non permanent member. The Committee also voiced its apprehension about the USA. As in the past, it may go for its own interests and leave Pakistan in the lurch. The Committee categorically told the Foreign Office not to ignore the interests of the country. It should oppose the Indian efforts for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. This should also be conveyed to other countries in clear terms. If they can go for own interests, we should also go for our own. The Committee reiterated that Pakistan was fighting the war of others in FATA and have sacrificed a lot, much more than the aid given to us. The Committee stated unambiguously that Kashmir was matter of life and death for Pakistan, which could not be ignored at any cost. All countries, however powerful they may be, must know it.
Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan and Members of Kashmir Committee, namely Ramesh Lal, MNA; Rana Muhammad Ishaq Khan, MNA; Ch. Iftikhar Nazir, MNA; Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan, MNA; Humayun Saifullah Khan, MNA; Munir Khan Orakzai, MNA; Mir Amer Ali Khan Magsi, MNA and Ch. Mahmood Bashir Virk, MNA attended the meeting.
| Islamabad, November 4, 2010 |
France Supports Democracy and Stability in Pakistan |
FRANCE SUPPORTS DEMOCRACY AND STABILITY IN PAKISTAN
H.E. Mr. Daniel JOUANNEAU, French Ambassador in Pakistan called on today Maulana Fazlur Rahman,
Chairman Kashmir Committee in the Parliament House, Islamabad. The Ambassador observed, France supports democracy and stability in Pakistan and hope that the next election would be held after five years. He also briefed the Chairman about the assistance France has extended to Pakistan. He said, his country is working on many projects in the water and energy sectors. The Ambassador also informed that France supports stability and strong institutions in Afghanistan.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee appreciated the assistance France has extended to Pakistan, hoping that cooperation between the two countries will grow further in future. He said, war should end in Afghanistan as early as possible, so that the people of that country should come forward in developing the Institutions. He also expected that the East and the West should endeavor to lessen the gap and bringing different civilization nearer. He urged that regard must be shown to the mores of other religions for the sake of peace, coexistence and prosperity in the world.
The Chairman also drew attention of the French Ambassador to the current situation in Kashmir. He appealed to the world community, including France, to pressure India for an early resolution of the Kashmir issue.
| Islamabad, October 8, 2010 |
Pakistan will Continue its Support to Kashmiris |
PAKISTAN WILL CONTINUE ITS SUPPORT TO KASHMIRIS
Islamabad, October 8, 2010: Parliamentary Kashmir Committee met today to discuss the Kashmir issue with the 
All Parties Hurriyet Conference (AJK – Chapter) and reiterated support to the just struggle of Kashmiris for their right to self-determination. The meeting was presided over by Maulana Fazlur Rahman, Chairman Kashmir Committee and attended by Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting and senior Officers of the Foreign Office. 28 member delegation of Hurriyet Conference, comprising both factions of the Conference, were present.
Leaders of different Kashmiri political parties conveyed the message of their leaders from Srinagar to the Kashmir Committee. They urged Pakistan to evolve a strong Kashmir policy as the wavering stand of various governments in Pakistan on the issue has weakened the Kashmir cause. They said Kashmiris don't want to remain with India. They just need the moral and diplomatic support of Pakistan. They also asserted that Pakistan was not sending militants to the occupied Kashmir, because they don't need them, adding that those who claim that Pakistan is training Kashmiri militants say such things to advance their own interests.
The Kashmir Committee reiterated that Pakistan would continue its moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris for their just struggle for the right of self-determination, as was done in the past.
Names of the Members of the Kashmir Committee, who attended the meeting are: Mr. Lal Muhammad Khan, MNA; Mr. Ramesh Lal, MNA; Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan, MNA; Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, MNA; Dr. Attiya Inayatullah, MNA; Mr. Humayun Saifullah Khan, MNA; Ch. Mahmood Bashir Virk, MNA; Mr. Abdul Waseem, MNA; Pir Muhammad Aslam Bodla, MNA; Sardar Talib Hassan Nakai, MNA.
| Islamabad, September 30, 2010 |
Pakistan will Continue its Moral, Political and Diplomatic Support to the Kashmiris |
PAKISTAN WILL CONTINUE ITS MORAL, POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC SUPPORT TO THE KASHMIRIS
Islamabad, September 30, 2010: Freedom struggle in the occupied Kashmir is indigenous and not 
foreign sponsored; India can not derail it by blaming others or by calling Kashmir issue as its internal problem. The Kashmir Committee declared it at the end of its two day session, held to discuss the current situation in the occupied Kashmir.
Parliamentary Kashmir Committee met at Islamabad with Maulana Fazl ur Rahman, the Chairman in the chair. Federal Information Minister Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira and Information Secretary Mr. Mansoor Suhail briefed the Committee about the measures taken by the Ministry and its Departmentsdepth to project the Kashmir issue. The Committee advised the Ministry to take more measures in this regard.
The Committee, which has representation from all major parliamentary parties of the country, voiced concern over the repression, being applied by the Indian security forces against the Kashmiris to kill the spirit of freedom from their hearts. The Committee urged India to shun the old and oft-repeated slogan of 'atoot ang', as Kashmir is an internationally accepted dispute. India therefore, should engage in a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue for an early settlement of Kashmir issue.
The Committee called upon the Foreign Office not to engage in any meaningless exercise of dialogue, until the Kashmir is on the agenda. The Kashmir Committee paid tributes to the Kashmiris, who have rendered sacrifices for their just right to self-determination. The Committee also reiterated that Pakistan will continue its moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris for this fundamental right. The Committee directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other Departments, working on the issue, to be active for projecting of the Kashmir issue abroad.
The Committee called upon India for an immediate withdrawal of Indian forces and black laws for the Occupied Kashmir, stoppage of human rights violations, release of detained Kashmiris, permission of political freedom, permission international human rights organizations to enter the Occupied Kashmir.
The Kashmir Committee also expressed its anguish over the silence of the world community on the issue. Kashmir is bleeding; the Indian security forces are inflicting human rights violations and are involved in heinous crimes. However, the international response is not up to the mark. Therefore, the Committee urged the world community to wakeup to their responsibility and pressure India to resolve the Kashmir issue.
Besides the high Officers of Foreign Office and the Information Ministry following Members of the Kashmir Committee attended the meeting: Makhdoom Muhammad Amin Fahim, MNA; Mr. Lal Muhammad Khan, MNA; Mr. Muhammad Afzal Sandhu, MNA; MNA, Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, MNA; Mr. Naseer Bhutta, MNA; Sheikh Aftab Ahmad, MNA; Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan, MNA; Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, MNA; Dr. Attiya Inayatullah, MNA; Mr. Amer Ali Khan Magsi, MNA; Ch. Mahmood Bashir Virk, MNA; Malik Ibrar Ahmed, MNA; Mr. Abdul Waseem, MNA; Pir Muhammad Aslam Bodla, MNA; Mr. Muhammad Tariq Tarar, MNA.
| Islamabad, September 23, 2010 |
Kashmir is an International Dispute and Not an Internal Matter of India |
KASHMIR IS AN INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE AND NOT AN INTERNAL MATTER OF INDIA
Maulana Fazl ur Rahman, Parliamentary Kashmir Committee has said that the State of Jammu and Kashmir was an international dispute, recognized by the United Nations. India itself took the issue to the world body, which passed many a resolutions for the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people. India accepted these resolutions and promised to hold plebiscite to ascertain the wishes of the Kashmiris. It is surprising that India is now calling Kashmir its internal matter repeatedly.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee observed that both Houses of the Parliament passed unanimous resolutions on Kashmir recently, calling upon India to stop the state terrorism in the occupied territory and give right of self-determination to the Kashmiris, whereat the spokesman of Indian Foreign Office called it an interference in their internal matter. Similarly, the Indian Foreign Secretary has also called Kashmir as an internal matter of India, however, she has offered dialogue with Pakistan for peace in the region. The Chairman Kashmir Committee said that Kashmir was not at all an internal matter of India. It is a disputed territory, waiting for resolution for the last 63 years. Of course, India is doing its level best to delay the matter on one pretext or the other, so that the Kashmiris and the world community may forget it. But Kashmiris have kept this issue alive by rendering unprecedented sacrifices. Therefore they won't let it be swept under the carpet. He emphasized, India will have to give freedom to the Kashmiris and no power on earth can stop them to win their right to self-determination.
Maulana Fazl ur Rahman said the offer of India to discuss the matter of Kashmir with Pakistan is welcome. We want to resolve all the disputes peacefully, but Indian leaders should keep this thing in mind that Pakistan is not interested in dialogue for the sake of dialogue. If India is really interested to resolve the issue, it should engage in a meaningful and result oriented dialogue on Kashmir; otherwise it would be just another exercise in futility. He said that the track record of India showed that whenever India was under pressure, it starts talks as a delaying tactic and to gain more time. Pakistan can not afford such useless exercise. He said, India should stop the state terrorism in the occupied Kashmir forthwith, because it is not acceptable to as that India continue killing the Kashmiris at one hand and engage Pakistan in talk at the other.
| Islamabad, September 16, 2010 |
India Should Stop State Terrorism in the Occupied Kashmir |
INDIA SHOULD STOP STATE TERRORISM IN THE OCCUPIED KASHMIR
Maulana Fazl ur Rahman, Chairman Parliamentary Kashmir Committee has condemned the Indian state terrorism in the Occupied Kashmir. He said that the Indian security forces were behaving like wild animals and killing Kashmiris. He also called upon the world community to intervene and stop the orgy of death in the Occupied Kashmir.
Maulana Fazl ur Rahman observed that India had tried its best to make the Kashmiris citizens of India. However, it has failed miserably. Kashmiris are struggling for freedom now as they were doing in 1947. He said the Kashmiris youth have started Intefada and agitating for freedom with stones in their hands, but Indian forces were responding with bullets and killing Kashmiris like wild animals. In last two months alone, around eighty Kashmiris have been martyred. The toll of death during the last twenty years comes around ninety thousands. However, despite the use of force, India has failed to crush the freedom movement in the Occupied Kashmir.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee has stated that Kashmiris were now free from fear of death. They are determined to win freedom and no machinations of Indian leaders or any pro-Indian Kashmiri leaders can weaken their determination for freedom. The renegade Kashmiri leaders are hiding themselves, fearing the wrath of the Kashmiri people. He said that sacrifices of Kashmiris won't go vain. They will soon be free from the clutches of India. He condemned the detention of Kashmiri leaders and youth as well as the filing of false cases against them. He observed, such nefarious designs will not weaken their determination for freedom.
Maulana Fazl ur Rahman condemned the Indian state terrorism in the Occupied Kashmir. He urged the Indian leaders to stop it and resolve the Kashmir issue. He also called upon the world powers to play their role and not remain as silent spectators at the orgy of death being played in the Occupied Kashmir. The world community, especially the United Nations, should intervene urgently, he urged.
| Islamabad, September 4, 2010 |
India Must Stop State Terrorism in the Occupied Kashmir |
INDIA MUST STOP STATE TERRORISM IN THE OCCUPIED KASHMIR
Chairman Parliamentary Kashmir Committee Maulana Fazl ur Rahman has said that the Kashmiris were waging a valiant struggle for their right to self-determination, which was just and in accordance with the international laws. However, India desires to crush it with force. The Indian security forces are indulging in the orgy of death. Pakistan can not remain a silent spectator on such situation. India must stop the state terrorism in the Occupied Kashmir, he urged.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee observed that Kashmiris were struggling for their right to self-determination, which was genuine in the light of UN Resolutions on Kashmir, the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Therefore, this struggle is the democratic right of the Kashmiri people. However, India which claims to be the biggest democracy of the world, is out to crush the movement of Kashmiris for this democratic right. It has, therefore, unleashed state terrorism in the Occupied Kashmir. Everyday Kashmiris are being killed. Neither their lives are secure, nor honour. Pakistan can not be a silent spectator on this grave situation. He said, of course, we desires to have good relations with India and resolve all disputes, including the Kashmir issue, through dialogue; but this doesn't mean that in the grab friendship, Aman Asha and dialogue, India should carry out genocide of Kashmiris. He said that the American forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan were around one hundred and fifty thousands, whereas in the Occupied Kashmir India had deployed more than seven hundred thousands security forces, who with the support of the draconian laws were killing the Kashmiris.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee stated at after the latest polls in the Occupied Kashmir, India announced that over sixty percent Kashmiris had participated in the electoral exercise and that the Kashmiris wanted to stay with India. If this is true, why hundred of thousands Kashmiris are taking to the streets, chanting the slogans of freedom. He said, Kashmiris are not only against India but they also hate the pro-Indian Kashmiri leaders. Therefore, pro-Indian Kashmiri leaders are hiding themselves. The police is guarding the houses, families and graves of those Kashmiri leaders, who beguiled the masses.
Maulana Fazl ur Rahman said that new Kashmiri generation has been wounded by the high handedness of Indian security forces. Therefore, the Kashmiris youth will not beguiled by India or pro-Indian Kashmiri leaders. They are determined to win freedom from India. Every Kashmiri child has stones in his hands to pelt at the Indian soldiers. In the past, India blamed Pakistan for supplying arms to the Kashmir; whether these stones are also provided by Pakistan, he asked. The Chairman urged the Indian leaders to read the writing of the wall and hold plebiscite in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
| Islamabad, August 17, 2010 |
Conduct of the Claimant of the Biggest Democracy of the World in Occupied Kashmir is Unbecoming |
CONDUCT OF THE CLAIMANT OF THE BIGGEST DEMOCRACY OF THE WORLD IN OCCUPIED KASHMIR IS UNBECOMING
Islamabad, August 17, 2010:Chairman of Parliamentary Kashmir Committee Maulana Fazl ur Rahman has said that India called itself the biggest democracy in the world but her conduct in the occupied Kashmir was unbecoming of the status of the power she claims to be, as the right of self-determination was the cardinal principle of the democracy, which India was not ready to give to the Kashmiris. This right, enshrined in the UN resolutions was accepted by India also. India promised to hold plebiscite in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian leaders should fulfill the promise made by their elders, like Gandhi. He was speaking to his Press Secretary Hafiz Muhammad Aleem from Saudi Arabia.
Maulana Fazl ur Rahman observed that the Kashmiris were struggling for the last 63 years for their right to self-determination. India is out to crush their movement with force. Since 1947, around four hundred thousand Kashmiris have been killed. Sixty died in the last few weeks Indian security forces are destroying the lives, honour and properties of the Kashmiris like wild animals. They are many times more than the US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan both. Their ratio with the Kashmiris is one for ten. Neither their life is safe nor honour and property. The life of Kashmiris has been made miserable. Thousands of Kashmiris have been detained. Over ten thousand have been disappeared for a long time. Over four thousand un-named graves have also been discovered at different places in the occupied Kashmir. The European Parliament has called upon India to investigate the matter, but India has not done it.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee said that India claimed to be the biggest democracy in the world, but the reign of terror unleashed in the occupied Kashmir was unbecoming for her. He stated that despite all the atrocities by the Indian occupying forces the Kashmiris were continuing their freedom movement gallantly. For the last two months all Kashmiri men, women, old and young, even children have taken to the streets, chanting the slogan of freedom. He said no power on earth can keep a nation slave for a long, which is determined to win freedom. Therefore, India should read the writing of the wall and resolve the Kashmir issue urgently.
| Islamabad, August 9, 2010 |
Pakistan is not Interfering in the Occupied Kashmir |
PAKISTAN IS NOT INTERFERING IN THE OCCUPIED KASHMIR
Maulana Fazl ur Rahman, Chairman, Parliamentary Kashmir Committee has said that Pakistan was not involved in the turmoil in the Occupied Kashmir. He was speaking in response to the statement of Indian Interior Minister who blamed Pakistan for fomenting trouble in the Occupied Kashmir.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee reminded India that Occupied Kashmir was not an internal matter of India. Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory, accepted by United Nations, world community, India and Pakistan. Pakistan is a party to the dispute as accepted in the UN resolutions on Kashmir. However, Pakistan is not involved in the protests in the Occupied Kashmir. Many an Indian analyst has also termed this movement as indigenous. The survey recently conducted by the renowned Indian paper “Out Look” has also supported this view. Pakistan desires to resolve the issue peacefully in the light of UN resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiris. Therefore, it has repeatedly advised India to come to the table, but latter is delaying the matter on one pretext or the other. The Kashmiris are fed-up with this delay. Therefore, they have come to the streets chanting the slogan of Azadi.
Maulana Fazl ur Rahman has advised India not to use force against the peaceful protest of Kashmiris, because it is their right to struggle for their right to self-determination, promised to them in the UN resolutions on Kashmir. Kashmiris are determined to win freedom from India. The more India will press them, the more they will agitate for freedom. It is, therefore, in the interest of India the Kashmir Issue should be resolved at the earliest possible. Peace of the region is hinged on the Kashmir issue. Unless and until the issue is resolved, durable peace in the region can’t be ensured, he said.
| Islamabad, August 05, 2010 |
India Must Stop State Terrorism in the Occupied Kashmir and Give Right or Self-Determination to Kashmiris |
INDIA MUST STOP STATE TERRORISM IN THE OCCUPIED KASHMIR AND GIVE RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION TO KASHMIRIS
India must stop the state terrorism in the Occupied Kashmir and give right of self determination to Kashmiris,
enshrined in UN resolutions accepted by India and Pakistan. The call was made at the meeting of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir, which met today in the Parliament House, Islamabad with Maulana Fazl ur Rahman the Chairman in the chair.
The meeting of the Kashmir Committee was held to discuss the volatile situation in the Occupied Kashmir. The high officials of the Foreign Office, led by Acting Foreign Secretary Muhammad Haroon Shaukat gave briefing to the Committee. Besides the Chairman, various members of the Kashmir Committee participated in the discussion. The Committee expressed its deep anguish over the deteriorating situation in the Valley. They condemned the state terrorism, perpetrated by the Indian security forces. More than thirty Kashmiris have been killed recently and thousands of Kashmiri youth put in jails. There is a media black out. News regarding high handedness of the Indian forces are not allowed to be printed. The papers are not allowed to be published for days and, if published, not allowed to be distributed. Kashmiri leadership has been arrested and India is deploying additional units of army to crush the freedom movement in the Kashmir.
The Kashmir Committee expressed full support on behalf of the Pakistani nation to the Kashmiri people, waging a valiant struggle for their right of self-determination. Glowing tributes were paid to the brave Kashmiris especially the martyrs.
The Kashmir Committee rejected the statement the British Prime Minister David Cameron recently made in India, stressing that he should have taken notice of the reign of terror unleashed by India in the Occupied Kashmir and that Britain should endeavour to resolve the Kashmir issue, which is her responsibility, as it is unfinished agenda of the Partition of the Sub Continent.
The Committee also passed a resolution in support of the just struggle of Kashmiris. Copy of the resolution is enclosed.
The names of the Members of Kashmir Committee who attended the meeting are Nawab Muhammad Yusuf Talpur, Mr. Naseer Bhutta, Sheikh Aftab Ahmad, Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan, Ms. Fiza Junejo, Ms. Bushra Gohar, Mr. Munir Khan Orakzai. Besides the acting Foreign Secretary Muhammad Haroon Shaukat, Additional Secretary Syed Hassan Javed, Director General Afrasiab and other Officers of the Foreign Office were also present.
| Islamabad, June 14, 2010 |
Flow of Water in the Rivers Chenab, Jhelum and Indus Should be Monitored and Urgent Action Taken Whenever Required |
FLOW OF WATER IN THE RIVERS CHENAB, JHELUM AND INDUS SHOULD BE MONITORED AND URGENT ACTION TAKEN WHENEVER REQUIRED
Islamabad, the 14th June, 2010: Water is very important for the economy of our country. As it is life line of agriculture, we should be vigilant. Flow of water in the rivers, flowing from the Occupied Kashmir should be monitored and expeditious action taken, whenever required. This was recommended by the Kashmir Committee at its meeting held today in the Parliament House.
Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir met with Maulana Fazl ur Rahman, the Chairman in the chair to discuss the issue of construction of dams and other related projects by India in the Occupied Kashmir on the rivers such as Chenab, Jhelum and Indus. Raja Pervez Ashraf, Federal Minister for Water and Power, Mr. Jamaat Ali Shah, Commissioner Indus Water Commission and high Officers of Ministry of Water and Power and Foreign Office were present.
Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Indus Water Commissioner and the Officers of the Ministry of Water and Power as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed the Committee on the Indus Water Treaty, 1960 as well as dams, such as Wuller, Salal, Baglihar and Kishan Ganga. The Committee was also informed about the working of the Indus Water Commission.
After a detailed discussion, the Committee observed that water was very important for Pakistan. Pakistan is mainly an agriculture economy, for which water is necessary. The rivers like Chenab, Jehlum and Indus are the main source of the water required for agriculture. For the last few years, water in these rivers has been reduced to a large extent. There is a hue and cry for water throughout the country and agriculture has been affected. On the issue of Baglihar Dam a lot of time was wasted in correspondence and discussions, causing a huge loss to the country. The Committee recommended as under:
i. Authorities concerned be careful and work hard on the issue.
ii. The flow of water in these rivers should be closely monitored and wherever there is any lapse on the part of India, it should be pointed out to the Indian authorities urgently.
iii. Time should not be wasted in unnecessary correspondence and discussion with India and necessary measures should be taken expeditiously.
iv. There should be a think-tank, comprising engineers and experts, attached with the Ministry of Water and Power, which can advise the authorities appropriately.
v. To make up the loss caused by Baglihar Dam, small dams as well as reservoirs should be built for storing water, controlling the floods and producing electricity.
It may be recalled that the Kashmir Committee has already formulated a sub-committee on this issue. The sub-committee comprises Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, MNA, (Convener) and Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, MNA, Dr. Attiya Inayatullah, MNA as members. The sub-committee remains in touch with the authorities concerned and report to the Committee occasionally.
Following Members of Kashmir Committee attended the meeting today: Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, MNA, Mr. Lal Muhamad Khan, MNA, Mr. Muhammd Afzal Sandhu, MNA, Ramesh Lal, Mr. Muhammad Faiz Tamman, MNA, Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan, MNA, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, MNA, Mr. Hamayun Saifullah Khan, Mr. Abdul Waseem, MNA, Pir Saddaruddin Shah, MNA, Mr. Munir Khan Orakzai, MNA, Malik Ibrar Ahmad, MNA.
Besides Mr. M. Ahsan Akhtar Malik, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Water and Power; Mr. Imran Afzal Cheema, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Water & Power; Mr. Afrasiab, Director General (SA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the other Officers of these ministries were also present.
| Islamabad, May 13, 2010 |
Pakistan will Continue its Supports to Kashmiris |
PAKISTAN WILL CONTINUE ITS SUPPORT TO KASHMIRIS
Islamabad, May 13, 2010: Pakistan will continue its support for the just struggle of the Kashmiris for their right to self-determination. Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman, Chairman, Parliamentary Kashmir Committee gave this assurance to the Kashmiris leaders, who called on him today.
Barrister Abdul Majeed Tranmbo and Professor Nazeer Ahmed Shawl, Heads of Kashmiri organizations based in Brussels and London respectively, met with Maulana Fazl ur Rahman, Chairman, Parliamentary Kashmir Committee today and requested for sustained and unwavering support of Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. They urged that Kashmir Committee should play active role for projection of Kashmir issue abroad and sends its delegation to other countries as well as participate in international Kashmir Conferences held abroad to project the stand of Pakistan on Kashmir. The Kashmiri leaders also briefed the Chairman on the working of their organizations in Europe and invited him to sends delegations of the Kashmir Committee to participate in the events being arranged by them in near future.
The Chairman, Kashmir Committee assured the Kashmiri leaders of the unstinted and unwavering support of the Pakistanis for their Kashmiri brethren, waging a just and valiant struggle for their right to self-determination. He said, this right is one of the few fundamental rights mentioned in the Universal Declarations of Human Rights, 1948 as well as in many other UN Declarations. Besides, this right has also been enshrined in the UN Resolutions adopted on Kashmir, accepted by India and Pakistan. The Chairman urged the Government of India to stop the state terrorism in the Occupied Kashmir, withdraw its forces and revoke the draconian laws, such as Public Safety Act. He emphasized that the Kashmiris detained should be released forthwith. He said, it is unfortunate that if the Kashmiri leaders are released by the Court of Law in one case they are arrested in another concocted case, as is being done in the cases of Shabir Ahmed Shah and others. The Chairman condemned the Indian efforts to change the demography of the occupied Kashmir. An Indian General said recently, we need area of Kashmir and not the people. So, the Kashmiris are being eliminated, whereas Indians are being inducted in Kashmir. Similarly India is out to change the culture of Kashmir. The Chairman, Kashmir Committee called upon the world community to compel India to stop the human rights violations as well as its moves to change the demography and culture of Kashmir.
The Chairman observed that Kashmir was the core issue. Though our enemies have diverted over attention to the western front, our stance on Kashmir will not be affected and we will continue our support to the Kashmiris.
| Islamabad, May 6, 2010 |
Pakistan will Continue its Supports to Kashmiris |
PAKISTAN WILL CONTINUE ITS SUPPORT TO KASHMIRIS
Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman, Chairman Parliamentary Kashmir Committee visited Kotli, Azad Kashmir. During his visit he met the Kashmiri refugees at Gulper and Kotli Sohlan camps. Besides distributing eatables among them, he assured the refugees that their problems would be taken care of. He stated that the refugees are guests of Pakistan. Despite our problems, the refugees will be looked after.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee addressed seminars on Kashmir at Kotli and Mirpur. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment for the cause of Kashmir. He said, Pakistan desires to resolve the Kashmir issue peacefully in the light of the UN resolutions, so that the Kashmiris could exercise their right of self-determination. He observed that General Musharraf weakened the Kashmir cause by his options. The unprecedented sacrifices rendered by Kashmiris and the efforts of Pakistan is keeping the issue alive and India won’t be able it to shove it under the carpet.
The Chairman paid homage to the Kashmiris for their sacrifices, assuring that Pakistan would continue its support to the genuine struggle of Kashmiris for their right of self-determination.
At Kotli, delegations of transporters, traders, lawyers and civil society called on the Chairman and expressed their concern over the ongoing judicial crisis in AJK. The Chairman observed that, he always supported the supremacy of constitution. This crisis should also be resolved in the light of the constitution.
| Islamabad, April 20, 2010 |
Pakistan is not a Failed State |
PAKISTAN IS NOT A FAILED STATE
Pakistan is not a failed state and Kashmiris desire to accede to Pakistan. If anybody has any doubt about it, plebiscite may be hold to test this reality. This was stated by Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman, Chairman Parliamentary Kashmir Committee in response to the statement of the Indian Home Secretary, who said the other day that Pakistan was a failed state and Kashmiris did not want to join it.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee stated that at the time of partition no industry worth the name was present in Pakistan. Besides, its share of the joint assets was withheld by India for a long time, thinking that Pakistan would not survive and join back India. Many problems, including the Kashmir issue, were also created just to weaken the nascent state. However, by the grace of Allah, Pakistan not only survived but it impressed others by its development and other countries copied our development plans.
Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman observed, our enemies have created problems for Pakistan. Terrorism has also been unleashed in this context. However, Pakistan is a vibrant nation. It will overcome its problems. He said, in a battle it is the will of the people which is decisive. We have a will to survive and move forward. Therefore, we will overcome the difficulties.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee said, our enemies have created FATA problem to divert our attention from Kashmir. But they won’t succeed. We will not budge from our principled stand on Kashmir and will not leave our Kashmiri brethren in the lurch. We will continue our support for their just struggle to the right to self-determination, he emphasized.
| Islamabad, April 3, 2010 |
Britain should Resolve the Kashmir Issue |
BRITAIN SHOULD RESOLVE THE KASHMIR ISSUE
The Kashmir issue is an unfinished agenda of the Partition of the Sub Continent, which the British Government left behind before departure. Being the colonial power, it was duty of the United Kingdom to settle the Kashmir dispute, which unfortunately it did not. Therefore, the Britain should do it now. This was stated by Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman in his letters to the office bearers of the All Party Parliamentary Group of the British Parliament on Kashmir.
The British Parliament has reconstituted the new Parliamentary Group on Kashmir led by Lord Nazir Ahmed. The Group comprises 20 Members and the names of the new office bearers are: Lord Nazir Ahmed, Chairman; Lord Avebury and Baroness Knight of Collingtree, Vice Chairman/Chairperson; Marsha Singh, Treasurer and Paul Rowen, Secretary.
While felicitating the new officer bearers, the Chairman Kashmir Committee said, India forcibly occupied the State of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947. Though India accepted the UN Resolutions to hold plebiscite in the State to determine the wishes of the Kashmiris, she has delayed it on one pretext on the other. India has now unleashed a reign of terror in the Occupied Kashmir to crush the Kashmiris’ movement for their right to self-determination.
He said the Kashmir issue is an unfinished agenda of the Partition of the Sub Continent, which the British Government left unsettled before its departure. It is, therefore, duty of the British Government to get it resolved. The British Parliamentarians should persuade the British Government to play its role to resolve the issue, because the situation is turning grave as India is now stopping water of the rivers flowing to Pakistan from Kashmir, allocated to Pakistan under the Indus Basin Treaty.
Chairman has appreciated the role of the Group for the Kashmir cause expressing hope that the Group will continue its noble job on Kashmir, so that the Kashmir issue could be resolved as early as possible and the hapless Kashmiris could take a sigh of relief.
| Islamabad, March 13, 2010 |
March 13, 2010: Kashmir & Water should be on the Top in Dialogue with India |
KASHMIR & WATER SHOULD BE ON THE TOP IN DIALOGUE WITH INDIA
Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman, Chairman, Kashmir Committee said that Kashmir and water should be on the top of the agenda of the talks between India and Pakistan. He said that Kashmir was one of the items of the Composite Dialogue. The Dialogue was started in January, 2004. However, despite an elapse of more than six years, Kashmir has not as yet been touched. India is always out to find an excuse to avoid Kashmir.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee said, dialogue is the only appropriate mean to resolve disputes. But talks for the sake of talks are of no use. The dialogue should be result oriented. Therefore, time should not be wasted on useless talks and both countries should start serious talks on Kashmir, so that the 62 years old dispute of Kashmir could be resolved.
Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman said, water issue should also be discussed with India. He said , the recent statement of the Indian Home Secretary, saying that Pakistan is using more water than its share is contrary to the facts. He stated that under the Indus Basin Treaty as well as the international Law India could stop water of Rivers Chenab, Jehlum and Indus. The Chairman, said the inhuman and immoral act of stopping our water is not sudden but a considered decision on the part of India. The Indian Minister Chakarwati said in 2003 that India would stop water of Pakistan and the latter would cry for drops.
The Chairman said, India is stopping water to pressure Pakistan on Kashmir, but it would not be successful, as Kashmir issue cannot resolved by force. It has to be settled on the basis of principles and in the light of the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
| Islamabad, February 6, 2010 |
Kashmir Solidarity Week - Essay Competition |
KASHMIR SOLIDARITY WEEK - ESSAY COMPETITION
As part of the activities of the Kashmir Solidarity Week the Kashmir Committee held arranged a function to distribute prizes amongst the winners of the Essay Competition floated by the Kashmir Committee on the topic: Kashmir Issue: A Quest for Solution. Prizes for English and Urdu essay both were First Rs. 15,000/-, Second Rs. 10,000/-, third Rs. 7,500/-. The names of the winners are:
ENGLISH URDU
1ST Malik Dastageer Alam Aftab Ahmad
2ND Memoona Saeed Usman Siddique
3RD Sumeet Kumar Mandhan Sumaira Anwar
After distribution of prizes, Mr. Shahid Hussain Bhutto, MNA/Federal Minister for Youth Affairs/Member Kashmir Committee congratulated the winners. He appreciated the Committee for holding this exercise. The Minister also dilated on the Kashmir issue. He announced an award of Rs. 5000/- to three position holders of English and Urdu Essays.
Topic of the next Essay Competition will be The Kashmir Issue and prizes will be Rupees 20,000, 15,000, 10,000 for top three positions in English and Urdu separately. Besides, there will be sixteen consolation prizes also.
| Islamabad, February 4, 2010 |
Seminar on Kashmir |
SEMINAR ON KASHMIR
Pakistanis will continue their support to the brave Kashmiris and Pakistan Government should be firm on its stance on Kashmir. This message emerged from the seminar on Kashmir held by the Parliamentary Kashmir Committee today at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad.
The Seminar was presided over by Raja Zulqarnain, President of Azad Kashmir and was addressed by Mr. Muhammad Afzal Sandhu, Minister of State for Railways, Maj. Gen. (R) M. Anwar Khan, Mr. Naseer Bhutta, MNA, Sardar Khalid Ibrahim, Mr. Abdul Rashid Turabi, Ch. Matloob Inkalabi, Sardar Amjad Yusuf, Mr. Faiz Naqshbandi, Mr. Rashid Ahmad Khan and Mr. Ghulam Safi.
The Speakers, including intellectuals and leaders from all major parliamentary, political parties of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir voiced view point of their parties on the topic of the seminar: Kashmir and Peace in South Asia. Though the speakers, representing different shades of the society, shed light on different aspects of the issue, there was a unanimity of views on the issue. They emphasized that durable peace in the South Asia is not possible without the resolution of Kashmir issue. The support of Pakistan for Kashmiris in their just struggle for their right to self-determination will continue. The speaker urged the Government of Pakistan to follow a strong Kashmir policy. India was also urged to stop state terrorism in the occupied Kashmir. A call was also made to the world community to pressure India to resolve the issue. The speakers emphasized that the Kashmir issue should be resolved on basis of the UN resolutions.
The Seminar attracted huge audience, comprising diplomatic corps, legislators from Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, researchers, intellectuals, academicians, students and civil society.
| Islamabad, February 3, 2010 |
Solidarity Week |
SOLIDARITY WEEK
The Kashmir Day on February 5 should be actively observed throughout the
country so that a strong message of solidarity should emanate for the Kashmiris waging a valiant struggle for freedom from India. The Parliamentary Kashmir Committee made this call at its meeting today in Islamabad.
The meeting presided over by its Chairman Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman was attended by members of the Committee namely Mr. Muhammad Afzal Sandhu, MNA, Nawab Muhammad Yusuf Talpur, MNA, Mr. Lal Muhammad Khan, MNA, Mr. Ramesh Lal, MNA, Rana Muhammad Ishaq Khan, MNA, Mian Javed Latif, MNA Mr. Naseer Bhutta, MNA Sheikh Aftab Ahmad, MNA Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan, MNA Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, MNA Mr. Humayun Saifullah Khan, MNA Mr. Abdul Waseem, MNA Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi, MNA Ms. Bushra Gohar, MNA Pir Saddaruddin Shah, MNA, Mr. Amer Ali Khan Magsi, MNA Mr. Muhammad Tariq Tarrar, MNA Ch. Mahmood Bashir Virk, MNA. Local Members of the Parliament Senator Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Malik Ibrar Ahmad, MNA and Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, MNA also attended. The senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting were also present.
The Committee finalized finalized the programmes of the Kashmir Day. The Committee will observe the Solidarity Week. It will hold seminar at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad on 4th February, it will present a Memorandum to the United Nations Representative at Islamabad on 5th instant; in the evening its Chairman will address the Kashmir Convention, on 6th instant, he will distribute prizes amongst the students who won the Essay competition. Next week, the Chairman and Members of the Committee will visit the Kashmir Refugee camps in Azad Jammu Kashmir to express solidarity.
At the meeting, various members of the Committee, representing different political parties voiced support for the Kashmir cause. They stressed that the issue should be projected forcefully.
The Committee called upon the Provincial Governments political parties, Members of the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies, social, trade and religious organizations to put up programme on the Kashmir Day so that from Khyber to Karachi, a strong message of solidarity may emanate in support of the people of Occupied Kashmir, who have rendered un-precedent sacrifices.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee also met the media men and urged them to highlight the Kashmir issue by telecasting different porgrammes on Kashmir Day as well as throughout the year.
| Islamabad, January 11, 2010 |
Kashmir Issue should be Projected the Following |
KASHMIR ISSUE SHOULD BE PROJECTED THE FOLLOWING
There should be not let up in the projection of the Kashmir Issue and all available means should be deployed to this effect. The Parliamentary Kashmir Committee, which met today at Islamabad, has directed.
Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Salman Bashir, Secretary Foreign Affairs, Mr. Suhail Mansoor, Secretary Information, Mr. Masood Khalid, Additional Secretary Foreign Affairs, Ch. Rashid Ahmed, Principle Information Officer, Mr. Muhammad Arshad Khan, Managing Director, PTV, Mr. Ghulam Murtaza Solangi, Director General, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Ghulam Hazoor Bajwa, Director General External Publicity, Mr. Afrasiab, Director General, Foreign Affairs and other Officers of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Information & Broadcasting attended the meeting.
The Kashmir Committee advised both the Ministries that more is required to highlight the issue abroad. Therefore, forceful measures should be taken to project the issue in a befitting manner. Maulana Fazlur Rahman, Chairman Kashmir Committee said, Kashmir is one of the most important issue of Pakistan. All relevant quarters should intensify their effort in this regard. It was observed that policies of General Musharraf weakened the Kashmir cause. However, the Kashmir Committee of that time did not toe his line. The Kashmir Committee represents the nation. Therefore, it will follow the line of the people of Pakistan.
The Kashmir Committee called upon the world community to compel India to withdraw its over seven hundred thousands soldiers, revoke the draconian laws and to release the Kashmiris languishing in the torture cells and jails.
Names of Members, who attended the meeting, are:-
Nawab Muhammad Yusaf Talpur, MNA, Mr. Lal Muhammad Khan, MNA, Mr. Muhammad Afzal Sandhu, MNA, Mr. Ramesh Lal, MNA, Ch. Iftikhar Nazir, MNA, Mr. Muhammad Faiz Tamman, MNA, Mian Javed Latif, MNA, Dr. Attiya Inayatullah, MNA, Sardar Talib Hussain Nakai, MNA, Ms. Bushra Gohar, MNA, Ch. Mahmood Bashir Virk, MNA
| Islamabad, January 5, 2010 |
Kashmir Issue should be Resolved in Accordance with the Wishes of Kashmiris |
KASHMIR ISSUE SHOULD BE RESOLVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WISHES OF KASHMIRIS
The Kashmir issue should be resolved in the light of the United Nations resolution, wherein the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination has been espoused. It was stated by Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman Chairman, Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir with reference to the United Nations Resolution of January 5, 1949, which calls for holding a plebiscite in Jammu & Kashmir to determine the wishes of Kashmiris.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee emphasized that the right of self determination is not enshrined in the United Nations resolutions on Kashmir only, but also in the UN Universal Declaration of 1948. Therefore, Kashmiris have every right to struggle for this right. Thus, the freedom struggle in Indian occupied Kashmir can’t be dubbed as a terrorist movement, because it has the support of the Charters of the United Nations, the UN Universal Declaration (1948), Charter of the United Nations, numerous UN resolutions and Charter of the Non-Aligned Movement.
The Chairman said, Pakistan has all along been supporting the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. He stated that Pakistan would continue its moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people. He called upon India to withdraw its seven lac security forces from the occupied territory and revoke the draconian laws enforced there. Similarly, thousands of Kashmiris detained in torture cells should also be released.
Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman added that the Kashmir Committee would hold a Kashmir Conference in February next, which will be addressed by the Kashmiri leadership.
| Islamabad, October 12, 2009 |
(NATO Forces should leave Afghanistan) |
NATO FORCES SHOULD LEAVE AFGHANISTAN
Islamabad October 12, 2009: A British delegation led by Ms. Karen Pierce, Director South Asia and Afghanistan of British Foreign Office called on Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman, Chairman, Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir today at Islamabad.
The Leader of delegation informed the Chairman Kashmir Committee that they wanted to discuss with him how to settle the Afghan issue. In response, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman told them that the foreign forces were a source of instability. Therefore, they should leave Afghanistan at the earliest. Freedom is the fundamental right of all the peoples of the world. The Afghan knows how to fight for their freedom and they can fight for decades. Even the people of Pakistan want that the Afghans should be allowed to decide their future without foreign interference. The increasing influence of the Americans is taken with suspicion and concern by all the countries of the region.
| Islamabad, October 6, 2009 |
Stand of OIC Contact Group on Kashmir Appreciated |
STAND OF OIC CONTACT GROUP ON Kashmir APPRECIATED
Islamabad, October 6, 2009: Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman, Chairman Parliamentary Kashmir Committee has appreciated the stand of the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir in support of self-determination of the Kashmiri people. He said that reiteration of support by the Contact Group at its recent meeting in New York for the right of self-determination of the Kashmiris was appreciable by all sane elements of the world, because it is in line with the UN declarations on fundamental and human rights as well as the UN resolutions on Kashmir, which were accepted by India.
The Chairman Kashmir Committee also welcomed the appointment of Mr. Abdullah Bin Abdul Rehman Al-Bakr as Special Envoy of the OIC on Kashmir. He invited the Special Envoy to visit Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. He said, we have nothing to hide in Azad Kashmir. Therefore, not only the new Envoy of the OIC, but parliamentarians, academics and media men of other countries are also welcome to Azad Kashmir. The Chairman also urged India to let the foreign media men and the parliamentarians visit the occupied Kashmir. He said, an open door policy should be followed in the occupied Kashmir as is being done in Azad Kashmir. Nothing can be hidden in the wake of the information revolution, he asserted.
| Islamabad, June 30, 2009 |
Indian must stop Human Rights violations in occupied Kashmiri |
INDIAN MUST STOP HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN OCCUPIED KASHMIRI
Islamabad, June 30, 2009: Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory. Instead of resolving the issue India had unleashed a reign of terror there. The state terrorism by Indian security forces in the occupied area is despicable which is condemned by all sensible persons. Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman expressed concern over the recent incident of Shopian in which two women wer
