Pakistani expatriate community pledges support to Kashmiris

India occupies Kashmir against the will of the people of Kashmir and this territorial dispute should be resolved according to UN resolutions, according to Pakistan Ambassador Mohammed Naeem Khan and other expatriate officials who attended a meeting convened here yesterday.
The gathering marked the Kashmir Solidarity Day (KSD), also called Kashmir Black Day. Pakistani officials and community members marked the day in Jeddah on Sunday.
Khan along with a dozen Pakistani community leaders pledged support to the cause of the Kashmiri people. Pakistan marks the day to highlight the plight of the people of Kashmir, a territory whose final status must be determined by the people of Kashmir in a plebiscite, according to a UN resolution.
“It is the obligation of the world community to ensure a United Nations sponsored plebiscite in Kashmir according to the wishes of the people of Kashmir,” Khan said.
He said that the people of Kashmir must get their right to self-determination. Pakistan would continue to support Kashmiris until they get their right, said the envoy.
The day was observed in remembrance of entry of Indian forces in Kashmir on Oct. 27, 1947, and to express the solidarity with Kashmiris.
Khan said that Kashmir problem is the “core issue” between the two countries and it must be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Responding to some speakers opposing Pakistan’s decision to grant India the most favored nation (MFN) status, he said: "This does not mean that all of our issues with India are settled. Even after this decision, we can continue our support of Kashmiri brothers and sisters.”
The program was conducted by Choudry Mohammad Rafique. Several community leaders including Ehsan Danish, Mohammad Zahoor, Abdul Basit, Abdul Malik Mujahid, Khalid Akram Rana, Sardar Mohammad Razzaq, Khalid Rana and Asgher Qureshi addressed the gathering.
A resolution, appealing the UN and the international human rights organizations to support Kashmiris in getting their rights, was presented by Asif Qureshi. The resolution was adopted by voice vote.