Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad advocates for right of self-determination to Kashmiris

Celine Ali

Islamabad: Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Alternate Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN this week advocated for the right of self-determination for the Kashmiri people.

“Self-determination is a universal right enshrined in UN Charter and International Covenants ICCPR and ICESCR. For the people of Jammu and Kashmir this right is explicitly affirmed in relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Kashmiris deserve the freedom to decide their future,” he said.

The envoy said the right can no longer be delayed or denied. “Pakistan stands with the Kashmiri people in their just struggle. The global community must act to ensure Kashmiris can freely exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with UNSC resolutions,” he added.

On 5th January 1949, the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) adopted unanimously a resolution that guaranteed a free and fair plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations, to enable the Kashmiri people to realize their right to self-determination.

This week marked the 76th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations’ Resolution, the OIC General Secretariat reaffirmed the importance of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions on the internationally recognized status of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

It also repeated the OIC’s support for the Kashmiri people’s inalienable right to self-determination, and for the final settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

It called again on the international community to ensure the implementation of those resolutions.