Pakistan seeks independent probe into Burhan Wani's 'extrajudicial' killing

NEW YORK: Further needling India, Pakistan has demanded an independent inquiry into the "extrajudicial" killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and claimed that the denial of "plebiscite" to Kashmiri people was behind the flare-up in the Valley.

Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi met representatives of a Kashmiri delegation here last week and said the country stands firm "in its principled policy of providing moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmir cause", according to a statement issued by Pakistan's Mission to the UN.

Lodhi called for an "independent inquiry into the extrajudicial killing of Wani and protestors".

She said Pakistan was actively pursuing the Kashmir issue at various forums at the United Nations.

Denial of the "right of self determination" to the people of Kashmir through an "independent plebiscite", promised to them by various Security Council resolutions, was at the heart of the current flare-up, which threatened regional peace and security, Lodhi told the delegation as she called for the UN to implant its resolutions on Kashmir.

The statement claimed that members of the Kashmiri delegation "appreciated Pakistan's consistent support and its efforts of taking up the issue" at different international forums.

Lodhi has been raising the Kashmir issue and the killing of Wani in her various statements at the UN and in meetings with top officials at the world body.

Lodhi briefed President of the Security Council for July Japanese Ambassador Koro Bessho, Ban's Chief of staff and Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman on the situation in Kashmir.

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz also wrote to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to "express Pakistan's serious concern on the alarming situation" and alleged human rights violation in Kashmir.

India and Pakistan are witnessing growing bitterness after Pakistan and its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made provocative statements on the Kashmir situation in the wake of Wani's killing on July 8.

Not only did Sharif praise Wani but he also remarked that "Kashmir will one day become Pakistan", a comment which evoked a sharp reaction from External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who said his dream of the state becoming a part of his country "will not be realised even at the end of eternity".