A Pakistani-American organization is seeking Congressional support for a strong U.S. stand for the rights of Kashmiri people, who have been subjected to an unprecedented Indian military lockdown in the disputed region after New Delhi’s suspension of its constitutionally mandated autonomous status.
The Pakistani-American Political Action Committee brought together around 70 influential members of the community from 18 states for a day of meetings with Democratic and Republican lawmakers on addressing the plight of the people of Jammu and Kashmir who have been denied basic human rights amid a stringent communication blockade since August 5.
Specifically, the PAKPAC is advocating the need for Washington to make a clear-cut statement at next week’s UN General Assembly session in support of the rights of the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Picture taken by Views and News of a poster exhibition on Kashmir at Pakistan Embassy in Washington D.C.
The effort revolves around securing Congressional support for a letter jointly written by Republican Congressman Jim Banks and Democratic Congressman Susan Wild. Several lawmakers have already signed the bipartisan letter addressed to U.S. Ambassador to United Nations. The letter would ask UN Ambassador to articulate a categorical position in favor of the rights of suffering Kashmiris.
“It is incumbent on US that in keeping with its history of standing for justice and human rights to stand up for the rights of Kashmiri people,” PAKPAC President Jalil Khan underscored in a statement on the Capitol Hill.
Pakistan-Americans said they are on the Hill to be a voice for Kashmiris since they have been silenced under curfew.
The Dallas-based head of the organization drew attention to several imperatives for President Trump’s Administration to focus on the issue including its desire for an honorable military withdrawal from Afghanistan which is linked to peace and stability in the region.
Secondly, Dr. Khan drew attention to concerns that nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan, who have fought several conflicts over the UN-recognized disputed territory, may go to another war which is feared to turn nuclear.
Thirdly, he said the unilateral Indian move to strip Kashmir of its autonomy does not serve its avowed purpose of defeating terrorism as it is creating more unrest and that the world has now seen what India calls terrorists from across the Line of Control are actually the people of Kashmir fight for their own rights.
President Trump, who has offered to mediate on the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, will be among the world leaders attending next week’s UN General Assembly session. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the global gathering on the same day.
Both leaders are scheduled to meet with President Trump. The Pakistan prime minister has lambasted New Delhi’s move, calling it a manifestation of Modi’s and his organization RSS’s exclusionary ideology of Hindutva which seeks dominance of the Hindu majority over diverse communities.
PAKPAC leaders including Mrs. Riffat Chughtai, Dr. Rao Kamran Ali, Dr Tariq Shahab, and Dr. Farrukh Adhami were among the prominent Pakistani-Americans who interacted with U.S. legislators on the Capitol Hill.
