External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated the unwavering commitment of every political party in India to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as an integral part of the nation.
Addressing students at Gargi College, Jaishankar emphasised the heightened significance of the PoK issue following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, a decision deemed challenging yet imperative.
Reflecting on the widespread perception that Article 370 was immutable, Jaishankar underscored the transformative impact of its revocation on the prevailing dynamics.
He noted that with the removal of Article 370, the nation's focus has shifted towards resolving the PoK issue, which was not a prominent concern in the past.
Jaishankar emphasised the importance of acknowledging an issue before addressing it, stating that the first step towards progress is the inclusion of the matter in public discourse.
He expressed optimism that with PoK now at the forefront of public consciousness, concrete steps towards its resolution will follow. Meanwhile, amidst the economic downturn in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, various political and human rights organisations have initiated a long march and sit-in protest scheduled for May 11 in Muzaffarabad.
The march aims to draw attention to the plight of locals, including soaring inflation, rampant unemployment, and the exploitation of natural resources by the civil bureaucracy.
Highlighting the challenges faced by the people of PoK, activist Amjad Ayub Mirza lamented the non-payment of wages and pensions and criticised the Pakistani administration's attempt to deploy additional security forces to quell the protests.
The United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) and Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), in a joint statement, announced the march to raise issues like skyrocketing inflation, severe unemployment, revocation of subsidies on wheat and flour, unjustified load shedding, and exploitation of PoJK’s natural resources.
Jaishankar’s assertion regarding the commitment of all political parties in India to reclaim PoK underscores the bipartisan consensus on the issue. This unanimity signifies a significant development in India's stance on Kashmir, indicating a robust and cohesive approach towards addressing territorial disputes.
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