National Assembly Rejects India’s Revocation of Kashmir’s Special Status
On Tuesday, the National Assembly passed a resolution rejecting India’s unilateral revocation of the special status of Kashmir, with unanimous support save for one dissenting lawmaker.
The Youm-i-Istehsaal-i-Kashmir Day Resolution, introduced by Safron and Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam, calls on India to release Kashmiri political prisoners, provide humanitarian aid, cease ongoing human rights violations, and sincerely implement relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The resolution advocates for a fair and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices to allow the Kashmiri people to determine their future through democratic means.
The resolution reiterates Pakistan’s moral, political, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination, paying tribute to their courage and bravery.
PkMAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai opposed the resolution, citing the rejection of his proposed amendment. In a speech, parts of which were censored in the National Assembly’s livestream, Achakzai expressed support for freedom movements but stressed that the people of Kashmir should be asked which country they wished to join, stating that if they chose Pakistan of their own free will, they would be welcomed.
Achakzai criticized the speaker for not allowing him to speak on the resolution, calling him a “havaldar” (sergeant). The speaker responded with pride, stating that “havaldars” are frontline defenders of the country and assured Achakzai that his opposition had been recorded.
PPP MNA Shazia Marri expressed regret over Achakzai’s opposition to the resolution.
PTI members Ali Muhammad Khan and Barrister Gohar Ali Khan later clarified that their party supported the resolution on the Kashmir issue.
