Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein: Rana Qasim Noon

Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein: Rana Qasim Noon

Chairman of the Parliamentary Kashmir Committee and Federal Minister Rana Qasim Noon has said that Kashmir remains central to Pakistan’s national interests, stressing that the country has already fought wars to defend the region and will continue to stand by the Kashmiri people.

Speaking about the current regional situation, Noon alleged that following India’s defeat in last year’s conflict, New Delhi has been attempting to create instability in Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He warned that Pakistan would not allow any external force to undermine its sovereignty or destabilize the country.

Noon said Azad Kashmir is an integral part of Pakistan and asserted that no power in the world could separate it from the country. He also criticized attacks and abusive behavior directed at the military, police and other state institutions, saying that such conduct would not be tolerated in any country.

The federal minister said the government has previously responded to public demands by providing relief and would continue to address genuine concerns in the future. However, he firmly rejected calls to withdraw the voting rights and political representation of refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir living in Pakistan.

According to Noon, removing the political rights of Kashmiri refugees would amount to betraying the sacrifices made by the Kashmiri people over decades. He maintained that refugees from occupied Kashmir must retain their right to vote and participate in the political process.

The Kashmir Committee chairman also drew attention to the ongoing situation in Indian-administered Kashmir, alleging that Indian authorities continue to suppress the Kashmiri population. He said several Kashmiri leaders have remained imprisoned for decades, with some spending between 30 and 40 years behind bars.

Noon further accused India of altering the demographic landscape of occupied Kashmir by issuing what he described as fraudulent domiciles to Indian citizens and facilitating their settlement in the region.

He argued that those advocating the removal of refugees’ voting rights were, knowingly or unknowingly, supporting an agenda that serves India’s interests. He vowed that such efforts would not succeed and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the political and democratic rights of Kashmiri refugees.

The minister called for unity on the Kashmir issue and said Pakistan would continue to raise its voice for the rights of the people of Kashmir at national and international forums.