British MPS for Kashmir polls under neutral supervision

LONDON: Describing the unresolved Kashmir issue as a threat to global peace and security, British parliamentarians have called for general elections in both parts of the divided Himalayan region under a neutral supervision for electing a genuine leadership reflecting the people aspirations. A number of British MPS expressed their views at the House of Commons last evening where the former Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Barrister Sultan Mahmud Chaudhary was the chief guest. The host was hosted by Birmingham MP Khalid Mahmud and chaired by Lord Nazir Ahmad. Among the MPS who spoke on the occasion included Humphrey Millan, Fiona MacTaggat, David Hemming, Paul Rowan, Stewart Jackson, Rob Flellof and David Lemmington. The British parliamentarians spoke of the serious human rights situation prevailing in the held Kashmir Valley and the continuous denial of the right to self determination by the Indian authorities. They urged the UK Government to use its good offices to bring about the political settlement in restive Kashmir region saying that it owed an obligation in this regard as this was an "unfinished business" dating back to the partition. The MPS were of the view that an election in both parts of Kashmir be organised under the supervision of UN with active support of European Union and the Commonwealth. Noting that the Kashmir issue has lingered far too long, the members of the House of Commons belonging to the different parties, said it was in the greater interest of the global community that the question be resolved without further delay as the region was already fraught with other dangers. The MPS also underscored the importance of including Kashmiri leadership in the peace dialogue between Pakistan and India but at the same time emphasised that the process be speeded up. Barrister Chaudhry spoke of his recent visit to Brussels and said European Union has agreed to host intra-Kashmir dialogue as well as passing a resolution against the violations of Human Rights in Occupied Kashmir. He urged the British Parliament to follow the footsteps of the European Parliament and pass a similar resolution. "Addressing the root cause of Kashmir was necessary to bring about peace and stability in the region," he added. The former Azad Kashmir Prime Minister slammed India for adding fuel to the fire by clamping draconian laws, preventing the people of the Valley from expressing their wishes freely, militarisation and using brute force to suppress the will of the people. He said India must withdraw all laws and regulations deemed as anti-people to give the hope of the valley some hope and allow the peace process to move forward. Khalid Mahmud informed that an Early Day Motion on Kashmir was already on the table in the Parliament. He also urged India to play by the rules and also abide by the structure put up the UN on dealing with international issues. TV presenter and Ambassador-at-large Javed Malik said the issue of Kashmir was central to the foreign policy of Pakistan and with democratic government in place in Islamabad, he was hopeful of advance in the peace dialogue.