JAMMU, Aug 20: Panun Kashmir’s Political Affairs Committee held a meeting in Jammu to deliberate on issues concerning the Kashmiri Pandit community, the security situation in Kashmir and recent international observations regarding Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was chaired by Panun Kashmir President Virender Raina and attended by General Secretary Kamal Bagati, General Secretary (NCR) Upinder Kaul, Youth Convenor Sameer Bhat, Vijay Qazi, Virender Koul, Ashok Chrungoo and other members.
Addressing the meeting, Virender Raina welcomed the reported remarks of U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor during his visit to Srinagar, saying that the observation regarding Kashmir’s place within India reflected what Panun Kashmir described as the historical and existing ground reality.
“Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of India, and there can be no ambiguity whatsoever on this fundamental reality,” Raina said.
He urged the United States administration to review its approach towards Pakistan, particularly in the context of concerns over terrorism and terror financing. Raina said the Kashmiri Pandit community had suffered immensely during the period of terrorism and displacement and referred to recent threats against Kashmiri Pandit employees working in the Valley as a matter of concern.
Panun Kashmir also appealed to the U.S. administration to ensure that international financial assistance to Pakistan through institutions such as the IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank is accompanied by adequate safeguards against the diversion of resources towards activities linked to terrorism and violence.
Raina further called for continued international scrutiny of Pakistan’s compliance with global standards relating to terror financing. He said any credible evidence of renewed deficiencies should invite appropriate international attention and action.
“Kashmiri Pandits have paid an enormous price for terrorism. The world community must recognise their suffering and stand with the victims rather than strengthen those responsible for creating and sustaining the infrastructure of terror,” Raina said.
The Political Affairs Committee reiterated its position that Jammu and Kashmir, including territories presently under Pakistan’s control, forms an integral part of India. It also said that developments in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir deserved greater attention from the international community.
According to Panun Kashmir, the principal unresolved issue concerning the Kashmiri Pandit community is their safe and dignified return and resettlement in their ancestral homeland. The organisation stressed that any such process must ensure security, dignity, constitutional safeguards and protection of the community’s cultural and political identity.
The meeting resolved that Panun Kashmir would continue to raise the concerns of displaced Kashmiri Pandits before appropriate national and international forums. The organisation said it would work towards securing conditions for the community’s return and rehabilitation in its ancestral homeland.
The meeting concluded with the reiteration that the concerns of displaced Kashmiri Pandits must remain an important part of discussions on the future of the region and efforts towards lasting peace and security.