At the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Uganda, India termed Pakistan’s stand on the Kashmir issue as “propaganda” and said the military rule is the tradition of Islamabad, according to an official statement.
The Pakistani delegation raised the heavy presence of security forces in the Valley
At the 64th meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Kampala, Pakistan again raised the Kashmir issue, stating that Valley is cordoned with security forces. The Indian side was very critical of Pakistan’s stand and said, ” tradition of military rule is prevalent in Pakistan and the country had been under army rule for 33 years.”
The Indian delegation comprising of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Roopa Ganguly, and L Hanumanthaiah, said the tradition of military rule is prevalent in Pakistan and the country has been under such rule for 33 years, according to a statement issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
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“Pakistani propaganda was strongly opposed by Roopa Ganguly, MP and other Members of Indian Parliamentary Delegation,” it said.
The Indian delegation led by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is taking part in the conference which will conclude on September 29.
The presiding officers and secretaries of state legislatures, who are members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, are participating in the conference.
Earlier this month, Pakistan also raised the Kashmir issue during the South Asian Speakers Summit in the Maldives. But it was rejected in the Male declaration after India’s strong opposition.
India on August 5, withdrew special status of Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated the state into Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, which will come into being on October 31.
Pakistan has been desperate since then and has been raising the issue on all international platforms.
(With inputs from PTI)
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