President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan addressed the joint session of Parliament on Thursday, highlighting the Kashmir issue and underscoring the need to resolve it for ensuring peace and development in South Asia. He demanded the restoration of special status to Kashmir and urged India to roll back all steps taken since August 5, 2019.
Amidst the uproar by PTI lawmakers in Parliament
President Zardari appealed to politicians to set aside political polarization and confront the challenges facing the country. The joint session of Parliament was convened after the general elections held in Pakistan on February 8. During this session, lawmakers from Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), engaged in vociferous protests against the President and the government.
Jammu and Kashmir, including Ladak
Is an integral part of India. On the Kashmir issue, he said that the people of Kashmir should be allowed to exercise their right to self-determination to determine their future. He also stated that peace is essential for development in the South Asian region, and the resolution of Kashmir is the key to peace. India has already made it clear that the entire Jammu and Kashmir, including Ladakh, is an integral part of India.
India abolished Article 370 from the Constitution. It is noteworthy that India abolished Article 370 from the Constitution on August 5, 2019, thereby ending the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.