UKPNP leader emphasizes historical injustices in PoJK and calls for global intervention.

Brussels [Belgium], October 23: Jamil Maqsood, President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP), delivered a strong condemnation of Pakistan's military invasion of Jammu and Kashmir on October 22, 1947, during an event organized by UKPNP-Belgium.

The event, chaired by Aqeel Ahmed and moderated by Abdul Basit, featured Maqsood as the Chief Guest, who provided a detailed historical analysis of the incursion.

Maqsood began by explaining the historical context that led to the invasion, emphasizing how armed tribal militias, reportedly supported by the Pakistani military, crossed into the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir with the aim of forcibly integrating the region into Pakistan after the partition of British India. This incursion ignited the first India-Pakistan war and has resulted in the ongoing division of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jamil discussed the long-lasting effects of this aggression, noting that the Line of Control has become one of the most militarized borders globally, causing immense suffering for the local populace. He criticized Pakistan's administration in the regions it occupies, particularly Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB), challenging the designation of "Azad" Jammu and Kashmir as a misnomer due to the absence of real autonomy or self-governance.

He contended that the political framework governing PoJK is largely dictated by Islamabad, leaving local leaders with minimal authority to make independent decisions. Maqsood expressed concern about the disenfranchisement of PoGB residents, who lack representation in the Pakistani Parliament, leading to the neglect of their basic rights.

Maqsood concluded by reiterating the UKPNP's commitment to advocating for the reunification of all areas of Jammu and Kashmir and called for an end to the region's militarization. He stressed the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict that respects the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, rejecting any externally imposed solutions.

He urged the international community to acknowledge the historical injustices faced by the residents of PoJK and to pressure Pakistan for genuine autonomy in the regions under its control, advocating for true political empowerment and self-governance for their inhabitants.