In commemoration of “Yom e Istehsaal”, the Embassy of Pakistan Jakarta organized a “Media Briefing Session” on 4 August 2020. The event was attended by ten prominent media houses in Indonesia including CNN Indonesia, Metro TV, TVRI (Official TV of Indonesia), Antara News Agency, MNC Media group, Radio Republic Indonesia (official Radio of Indonesia), Voice of Indonesia, Republika newspapers and Rakayat Merdeka News, says a press release received here today from Jakarta.
The Charge’ d’ Affaires of Pakistan, Mr. Sajjad Haider Khan briefly covering the Foreign Policy of Pakistan and Pakistan-Indonesia Relations, gave a detailed account of Peace & Security situation in South Asia. Referring to India’s hegemonic posture in the region, rise of RSS led Hindutva policies, Mr. Khan touched upon the evolving situation in the context of recent tensions created by India with nearly all of its neighbours including Pakistan, China, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Highlighting the historical as well as legal position on Jammu & Kashmir Dispute, Mr. Khan reiterated that Jammu & Kashmir remains an Internationally recognized dispute and the longest dispute ever at the United Nations Security Council Agenda, with almost a dozen UNSC resolutions seeking plebiscite to determine the wishes of the Kashmiris for a final settlement.
Mr. Khan pointed out that government of India repealed articles 35A and 370 of its Constitution on 05 August 2019, revoking special status granted to the Jammu & Kashmir, in clear violation of International law and UN Security Councils Resolutions. Mr. Khan also dilated upon the impact of Indian repressive policies specifically the total lockdown of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir since 5 Aug 2019 including shutting down of Internet services, schools/colleges and lack of medical services during Covid-19 pandemic. He briefed the journalists on various aspects of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute including gross Human Rights Violations, Sexual abuse, violence against women & children and underscored the Indian illegal actions of bringing demographic changes in the region.
Highlighting the ongoing wave of intolerance and state sponsored repression against minorities (especially Muslims) in India, Mr. Khan spoke at length about the targeted hatred and discrimination against Muslims in India by the Modi Government such as the Babri Mosque verdict, the discriminatory Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), the controversial National Register of Citizens (NRC), and the lynching of Muslims by the cow vigilantes. Prime Minister Modi’s decision to lay the foundation stone of a Temple at the place of Martyred Babri Mosque, on 05 August this year was a reflection of the Hindu Rashtra mindset, which could be deadly for the Muslims in India and other minorities.
The Media Briefing marked the first anniversary of the India’s decision to change the special status of Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), a move rejected by the Kashmiris. The Government of Pakistan is observing 05 August as Yom-e-Istehsaal (day of Exploitation) as a mark of solidarity with the Kashmiri people. Mr. Khan also urged Indonesian brothers and sisters and media houses to express solidarity with the innocent people of Jammu & Kashmir.
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