City
Epaper

Ex-Pak diplomats endorse 'armed struggle' in Kashmir

By IANS | Updated: August 19, 2019 23:25 IST

Three former Pakistani envoys to India have said that the international community must support armed resistance against alleged Indian "occupation" in Jammu and Kashmir because it is "legitimate" under international law.

Open in App

The former diplomats - Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, Abdul Basit, and Shahid Malik - were speaking on a TV talk show hosted by Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir.

Qazi, a former Pakistani High Commissioner to India and Ambassador to the US, said armed resistance in Jammu and Kashmir is "legitimate".

"It is legitimate for people of Jammu and Kashmir to take to armed resistance or guns. If they demand help from other countries for their legitimate jehad, that too is legitimate," said Qazi.

Jammu and Kashmir has been under unprecedented security cover ever since Parliament abrogated special category status for the state by revoking Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5. Parliament further divided the state into two union territories by passing a legislation to that effect in both houses.

"Under international law it is the responsibility of other nations to help Kashmiris in their struggle against the occupation of Jammu and Kashmir," said Basit, former Pakistani envoy to India.

On Monday, the security clampdown was partially revoked in the valley with the reopening of a few schools and government offices. The festivals of Eid and Independence Day had been celebrated in the valley amidst tight security arrangements.

"No one can point fingers at any nation, under international law, if it rises to the rescue of a group (Kashmiris) that has been subjugated," said Malik, another former Pakistani High Commissioner to India.

Pakistan has openly opposed India's decision to revoke special category status that had been conferred upon Jammu and Kashmir vide Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.

It has also suspended bilateral trade with India besides sending back the Indian High Commissioner following the political developments in Jammu and Kashmir.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: kashmirindiajammupakistanAshraf Jehangir Qazi
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalOperation Sindhu: “We Saw Drones, Missiles,” Say Evacuated Students Recounting Life in Iran’s Warzone

InternationalUS President Donald Trump to Meet Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir in Washington DC Over Lunch

NationalCOVID-19 Update: Mumbai Cases Drop Sharply; India’s Active Tally Drops By 428

InternationalPakistan Gives Nuclear Bomb Threat to Israel If It Nukes Iran, Says Top Iranian Official Mohsen Rezaei

CricketIndia vs India A Intra-Squad LIVE Streaming: When and Where To Watch Intra-Squad Match on TV and Online?

National Realted Stories

NationalBank Holiday Today: Are Banks Open or Closed on Saturday, June 21? Check Details

NationalKurukshetra: Haryana CM leads one lakh to perform yoga in land of Lord Krishna

NationalDelhi CM Rekha Gupta participates in Yoga Day event; calls for reviving Yamuna River

NationalYoga gives world the direction of peace: PM Modi

NationalHM Shah leads International Yoga Day celebrations in Ahmedabad