Pakistan’s Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir has called for an intensified diplomatic push on international forums to ensure the voice of the Kashmiri people is heard globally, while strongly reaffirming the nation’s unwavering support for their right to self-determination.
The directive came during the committee’s 11th meeting held on Wednesday at the New Civil Secretariat in Muzaffarabad, chaired by Federal Minister Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon. The session reviewed the implementation of prior decisions and received a comprehensive briefing on the region’s current state.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Syed Javed Ali attended the session virtually. Other notable participants included MNAs Malik Ibrar Ahmed, Asad Alam Niazi, and Fateh Ullah Khan, alongside former AJK President Sardar Masood Khan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Mr. Khushhal Khan.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, the Foreign Affairs ministry, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and the Civil Aviation Authority also contributed to the high-level discussions.
Members of the panel emphasized the critical need to vigorously project the Kashmir issue on both national and international stages, reiterating Pakistan’s steadfast political, diplomatic, and moral backing for the Kashmiri people.
The parliamentary body underscored the importance of ensuring political and economic stability in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It highlighted that good governance, public welfare initiatives, and the timely completion of development projects tailored to local needs were essential for regional progress.
Furthermore, the committee issued specific instructions to relevant departments to expedite feasibility studies for the construction of airports in all three divisions of AJK. It also called for urgent measures to resolve the persistent problems faced by Jammu and Kashmir refugees residing in Pakistan.
In his concluding remarks, Chairman Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon urged all concerned institutions to bolster national unity and adopt a coordinated strategy to amplify diplomatic efforts, ensuring the Kashmiri cause resonates powerfully across the world.