950806

'Iran's support

to Kashmiris'

cause is

deep-rooted'

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan delegation comprising Maulana Ehtramul Haq Thanvi and Agha Murtaza Poya on Thursday last meet with the Head of the Islamic Propagation Organisation Ayatollah Araki, according to a message received from Tehran here on Sunday.

They briefed Ayatollah Araki on the current situation in occupied Kashmir and the massive violations of human rights that were being perpetrated on Kashmiris by the 600,000 strong Indian security forces. The 'crime' for which Kashmiris were being punished was asking the Indian government to fulfil its promise of allowing the people of Kashmir to exercise their right of self-determination. It was extremely important, the delegation said that international pressure on India for desisting from violence in Kashmir and fulfilling its obligations to the international community continued. Iran being one of the most important Muslim countries had a significant role to play in persuading India to adhere to its obligations under international law.

Ayatollah Araki in his response stated that support for Muslim causes, in which Kashmir was in the forefront, was a cardinal principle of the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He said that Iran's support to Kashmir was not a favour that it was doing to any country but an obligation in conformity with the Hadees that he who does not support oppressed Muslims cannot be a Muslim. He added that Iran's support to the Kashmiri cause was deeply-rooted. During its struggle against the monarchy in Iran the clergy had from time to time condemned the oppression and bloodshed in Kashmir and demanded that the wishes of the people of Kashmir on their future be ascertained. He also made a reference to the Rahbar, Seyed Ali Khameinei's book 'Musalamanan-e-Hind and Kashmir' in which the struggle of the people of Kashmir had been lauded.-APP