SC to hear plea for stopping government funding of Kashmir separatist groups

Pakistani Nobel laureate Malala Yousufzai has called upon the United Nations and the worldwide community to take notice of Indian atrocities against the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir.

On Ram Madhav’s remarks that political solution to Kashmir dispute is a mere slogan by romantic people’, Shabbir Shah said if it is so, then what scares them from holding a referendum in the region. Backing the demand for self-determination in Kashmir, he said the “oppressed people” of the Valley are once again suffering “worst form of state terrorism” and “repression” for demanding their due rights. “I call on the United Nations, the worldwide community and India and Pakistan to work together with utmost urgency to right these wrongs, providing the people of Kashmir with the dignity, respect and freedom they deserve”, the Pakistani teenager, who was shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012, told Dawn.

The two parties, which are ideologically opposite, share power in the sensitive border state where the Kashmir valley is witnessing unrest for almost two months. More than 70 people have died in the clashes that followed as the state curfew entered into the 61st day. “My 14 million Kashmiri sisters and brothers have always been close to my heart”. “Many schools have been closed because security forces commandeered schools, keeping children away from their classrooms”, she said.

“But I still insisted to go and meet him because we wanted to tell the people of Kashmir that we are willing to talk to them (separatists) and with all stakeholders”.

As Eid-ul Azha, slated for September 13, is approaching, the government expects the situation to improve as it has a feeling that people would like to celebrate the occasion, despite the strike call extended by separatists till September 16.

Dar’s funeral turned into a rally attended by hundreds of supporters.