Pakistan calls for plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir

Alleging human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan on Sunday demanded "a fair and impartial" plebiscite to resolve the Kashmir dispute.

The Foreign Ministry said the "extrajudicial killing" of Hizbul Muajahideen leader Burhan Wani "and scores of other innocent Kashmiris" violated the fundamental human rights of Kashmiris.

This, a statement from the ministry said, "cannot deter the people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand for the realisation of the right to self determination".

It said a resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute was only possible by the "realisation of the right to self determination of the people, as per UN resolutions, through a fair and impartial plebiscite".

The statement followed the Friday killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani, which triggered widespread clashes between security forces and pro-Wani demonstrators leaving at least 16 people dead.

--IANS

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