Pakistan's envoys on Kashmir visit Turkish parliament

ANKARA

Pakistani prime minister’s special envoys on Kashmir met senior Turkish lawmakers, including Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Ismail Kahraman and Turkey-Pakistan Friendship Group Chairman Muhammet Balta in Ankara on Monday.

Mohsin Shah Nawaz Ranja and Pervaiz Malik, who are also Pakistani parliamentarians, discussed the Kashmir issue, especially the situation in Indian-held part of the valley with Kahraman and Balta at the Turkish parliament.

Balta said the 70-year-old issue in Kashmir "disrupts" the good relations between Pakistan and India. "Turkey is worried about the increasing tension in the region and the fate of its residents.

"Our efforts and hope is to reach an acceptable solution for both sides, within the scope of UN resolutions, keeping in mind the demands and benefits of residents of Kashmir," the Turkish lawmaker said.

Malik said the people in Indian-held Kashmir were living "without any human rights."

He appreciated Turkey’s stance over the Kashmir issue.

"I thank Turkey because of their firm attitude on Kashmir at every forum," Malik said, adding: "Turkish Foreign Ministry's statements are encouraging for us. India violates human rights in Kashmir, instead of finding a solution to the issue."

Ranja said India had passed oppressive laws in Kashmir, such as allowing a suspect to face jail time for two years after being taken into custody.

"We request support for Kashmir to get out of this occupier state [India]," Ranja added.

Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full.

The two countries have fought three wars – in 1948, 1965 and 1971 – since they were partitioned in 1947, two of which were fought over Kashmir.

Since 1989, Kashmiri resistance groups in Indian-held Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for its independence or for its unification with neighboring Pakistan.

More than 70,000 people have reportedly been killed in the conflict so far, most of them by the Indian Armed forces. India maintains more than half a million troops in the disputed regions.