New York: Pakistan has renewed its call for a free and impartial plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the need for the people of the region to exercise their right to self-determination under United Nations auspices. This call was reiterated during an interactive dialogue at the United Nations, where Pakistan underlined the issue’s recognition as an enduring international dispute.

According to Radio Pakistan, Counsellor Saima Saleem, representing Pakistan, addressed the dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, articulating that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains a matter of international concern on the United Nations Security Council’s agenda. She stated that the final resolution of the issue must align with Security Council resolutions, which guarantee the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.

Saleem also acknowledged the Special Rapporteur’s differentiation between minority rights and the right to self-determination, emphasizing its pertinence to the Kashmir conflict. She reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to minority rights, underscoring the importance of upholding principles of equality, non-discrimination, and fundamental rights universally.

Highlighting the necessity of a resolution grounded in international law and United Nations resolutions, Saleem stressed that the people of Jammu and Kashmir should be allowed to determine their future freely. Additionally, she pointed to the growing concerns of Islamophobia and religious discrimination, calling for increased international attention and action.