Sharif rakes up Kashmir at UNGA, says Burhan Wani symbol of 'Kashmiri intifada'

As expected, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday majorly raised the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly, saying that Pakistan fully supports Kashmiris' right to self-determination and demanded an "independent enquiry" into the "extrajudicial killings" in Kashmir.

Sharif said that Hizbul militant Burhan Wani, whose killing on July 8 sparked off the current unrest in the Kashmir valley, had become "the symbol of the new Kashmiri intifada that was led by common Kashmiris".

He also spoke of "Indian brutalities" and "human rights violations by Indian forces" in the Kashmir valley, and said Pakistan would present a dossier on Kashmir to the world body.

Sharif, whose government has persistently been raising the Kashmir issue at the international fora, said that his country wants peace with India, and has gone the extra mile to achieve that, but India has "imposed preconditions".

Sharif said the "indigenous uprising" in Kashmir has been met with "brutal repression by Indian soldiers" and would "only fortify the determination of Kashmiris to fight for their rights"

"Pakistan fully supports self-determination of Kashmiris' legitimate demand," he said.

He said the UN Security Council should ensure implementation of resolutions on Kashmir.

--IANS

rn-tsb/