Nawaz Sharif to ‘highlight’ Kashmir issue at UNGA speech

Islamabad: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday met Hurriyat leaders from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and assured them that he would “emphatically highlight” the Kashmir issue at the 71st session of the UN General Assembly next week.

Sharif met with the leaders of All Parties Hurriyat Conference PoK chapter at Muzaffarabad. PoK ‘President’ Sardar Masood Khan and ‘Prime Minister’ Raja Farooq Haider were also present at the meeting.

“Pakistan will continue to extend moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiris,” Sharif said, alleging that atrocities in Kashmir had touched extremes.

“Oppression is destined to end, and truth will prevail,” he said in reference to the ongoing violence in Kashmir. He said the Kashmiris’ demand for their right to self-determination was just, which had also been acknowledged by international community.

Calling upon the UN to fulfil its obligation in accordance with its own resolutions, he said: “The movement of Kashmiris will ultimately succeed as the history has precedents that such movements could not be suppressed with oppression. Pakistan will raise voice for the resolution of Kashmir dispute at all fora.”

Hurriyat leaders thanked Sharif for taking them into confidence before his visit to UNGA. Sharif is likely to deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly session on September 21.

PTI