India denying basic rights to Kashmiris

ISLAMABAD: Federal minister for Climate Change Senator Mushahidullah Khan on Thursday said India was a democratic country but it had always denied giving rights to the people of Indian Held Kashmir.

He was speaking to a delegation of All Parties Hurryiat Council here at Ministry of Climate Change, says a press release issued here.

The federal minister highlighted during the meeting that Kashmir cause was also directly related to climate change.

The presence of 700,000 Indian army was negatively impacting the environment of the area as they were using fossil fuels and weapons and subsequently deteriorating the environment.

He said the government of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif brought back Kashmir cause on top agenda of the government.

The present government highlighted the Kashmir issue through international forums and diplomatic communities.

Ghulam Muhammad Safi, the convener of All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir said on the occasion that Kashmir issue was not only a human rights issue, but a climate change issue as well.

The Siachin glaciers were located in that area and the brutalities of Indian forces were also negatively impacting these glaciers, he added.

The meeting was attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change Romina Khursheed Alam, Parliamentary Secretary for Higher Education Punjab MPA Ms. Mehwish Azmat Hayat, Syed Ijaz  Safi, Syed Faiz Naqshbandi, Mehmood Ahmed Saghir and other representatives of All Pakistan Hurriyat Council.