At the U.N., Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif likens Kashmir with Palestine

Mr. Sharif identifies what he termed the “Hindu supremacist agenda” as the “most alarming manifestation” of Islamophobia, saying it was aimed at subjugating Indian Muslims

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly criticised Indian government actions in Kashmir, drawing a parallel between Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.

“Similarly, like the people of Palestine, the people of Jammu and Kashmir too, have struggled for a century for their freedom and right to self determination,” he said, accusing India of reneging on its commitments to implement U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Related Stories

• Pakistan and Iran say ‘Kashmir issue should be resolved through peaceful means’

• India strongly rejects references to Jammu and Kashmir in China-Pakistan joint statement

• India slams Pakistan for 'baseless & deceitful narratives' on Kashmir at UNGA

Mr. Sharif accused India of extra-judicial killings, prolonged curfews in the region and other “draconian measures”.

“In a classic settler colonial project, India is seizing Kashmiri lands and properties and settling outsiders into occupied Jammu and Kashmir [ Jammu and Kashmir] in their nefarious design to transform the Muslim majority into a minority,” he said.

Related Stories

• Protests in PoK consequence of Pakistan's policy of systemic plundering of resources: India

• The recent unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir | Explained

• U.K. PM Starmer meets Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, agrees to ‘deepen’ relations

Mr. Sharif highlighted the expansion in India’s military capabilities and said India’s leadership had “threatened to cross the Line of Control”.

“Mr. President, let me state in no uncertain terms that Pakistan will respond most decisively to any Indian aggression,” he said, thumping the lectern.

In a segment on Islamophobia, he identified what he termed the “Hindu supremacist agenda” in India as the “most alarming manifestation” of the issue, saying it was aimed at subjugating Indian Muslims and the “obliteration of India’s Islamic heritage”.

It is normal practice for Pakistan’s representative to raise issues around India each year during the U.N. General Assembly debates. India normally responds, exercising its ‘right of reply’.

Published - September 27, 2024 07:43 pm IST