Leaders demand global intervention on Kashmir

ISLAMABAD BUREAU —Fourth Pillar Media Watchdog President Farooq Mirza and All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader Altaf Ahmed Bhat called for intensified international efforts to highlight the Kashmir dispute. They also urged the United Nations to appoint a special envoy or an independent fact-finding mission to investigate the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Mirza and Bhat, who also chairs the Jammu Kashmir Salvation Movement (JKSM) on Tuesday. The two leaders expressed concern over alleged human rights violations, continued detention of Kashmiri political leaders, restrictions on press freedom, property-related actions and economic pressures on local families.

They agreed to mobilise overseas Pakistanis and Kashmiris, international media, diplomatic missions and human rights organisations to sustain global attention on the dispute. Mirza said diaspora communities possess considerable influence and resources that could highlight Kashmir internationally, stressing the need for greater coordination with Pakistani diplomatic missions.

Bhat called for evidence-based advocacy and urged international institutions to take notice of political detentions and restrictions on independent journalism. Both leaders also agreed to raise the cases of detained Kashmiri political figures before international human rights bodies and legal forums.

The meeting was attended by a delegation of journalists and representatives of the Fourth Pillar Media Watchdog.