ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of PTI workers and leaders, many holding placards and waiving Pakistani, Kashmiri and PTI flags, converged at the airport to welcome Prime Minister Imran Khan who arrived here today after his successful 7-day visit of the United Nations. 

When Prime Minister Imran Khan, accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi,  reached the Airport lounge, he was greeted among others, by the Defense Minister Pervez Khattak, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, senior leader Asad Umar and Governor of Sindh Imran Ismail.

Addressing the gathering Imran Khan thanked the nation for praying for the success of his team during the Kashmir Mission at UN: “First of all, I thank my nation for praying for me, for us to be able to present Kashmir’s case before the UN.” He particularly thanked his wife for praying for his team.

Imran Khan said he had stated that he would be the Ambassador of Kashmiris and had fulfilled his promise by exposing the fascist face of Modi and his government.

Maintaining that supporting the Kashmiris – who were victims of Indian forces’ atrocities – was a Jihad he said Pakistan was standing with them: “We stand by Kashmiris whether or not the world supports them,” he proclaimed. “And we are standing by them because we want to please Allah,” Prime Minister added.

Prime Minister held that when one struggles for a cause he/she comes across vicissitudes, and since Kashmiris were expecting support from Pakistanis, they should face the ups and downs bravely. Reiterating  that Indian forces had incarcerated the entire populace of Occupied Kashmir he held: “Eight million people have been kept under curfew by the Indian army. So I just want to explain one thing to you; that all battles have ups and downs. All struggles are marked with ups and downs. You must not get demotivated by the bad times.

“Kashmiris will win their freedom'” he stated with confidence: “…Kashmiris are looking towards you, and God willing, they will win, they will get independence. All Kashmiris, their women and children, are looking to Pakistan and its people. We will expose this fascist Modi’s government, this Muslim-hating government, on every platform.”

Imran Khan said that he had been telling his associates for decades that human can only struggle, the success is bestowed by Allah: “All those stranding with me since 20 years; I have told them one thing that the duty of human beings is to try, success is given by Allah.”

A relevant piece published earlier: 

MANHATTAN (UN): Prime Minister Imran Khan addressing a Presser here today said that 8 million people in IoK were incarcerated in an open jail: “It is unprecedented in this day and age. And then this is nonsense to say that this is a part of India, an internal matter and the world should stay out.”

During the Press Conference PM Imran Khan maintained:  “Let me remind the world that there are eleven UNSC resolutions recognizing Kashmir as a disputed territory, with its right to self determination. The BJP government has unilaterally annexed Kashmir, against their own constitution. This is a war crime…

“With 900,000 Indian soldiers deployed in Kashmir, we fear a massacre…Whatever happens in Kashmir, India tries to pin it on Pakistan. In February, a boy blew himself up in Kashmir. The parents of the boy said he had been radicalized by the Indian forces there. Well, that had nothing to do with Pakistan…We asked Indian govt for proof of any involvement from Pakistan. Instead, India sent bombers in…

“Afterwards, we chased their jets, took them down and captured an Indian pilot, Abhinandan. We let the pilot go as a gesture of peace but unfortunately India did not view it that way.”

Prime Minister Imran Khan held: “Unfortunately India today is ruled by the RSS; a party that was banned, that killed Mahatma Gandhi. Under Narendra Modi’s chief ministership Muslims were butchered and burned alive in Gujarat. 15,000 people became homeless; all Muslims.

“You can read who the founding fathers of the RSS looked up to. Hitler and Mussolini; this is open knowledge.”

Imran Khan told that he had called PM Modi right when he came to power, “I said that we have common problems; poverty, climate change. But all our efforts for any bilateral cooperation were rebuffed…We thought, a nationalist party they are, maybe BJP needs to pander to their audience. But then post the elections when we found Indian officials trying to put us on the blacklist of FATF, that’s when we realized they had an agenda…

“They don’t believe in the equality of Muslims or even of Christians. This is not the India I know or have known. I spoke to world leaders about this; I have spoken to President Trump, PM Boris Johnson, Angela Merkel, President Macron on this.”

Khan further pointed out: “After the Cuban missile crisis we have two nuclear nations, head to head against each other. And then they are trying to build this narrative that there are terrorists on the border from Pakistan ready to go into Kashmir…

“Indians propagate that terrorists are ready to go from Pakistan into Kashmir. What is worse terrorism than 8 million people being under lockdown for 50 days? I hope by the time we leave here I will be able to apprise everyone about this siege.”

Maintaining that the responsibility stood on the UN too Imran Khan held: “I would urge world leaders to look beyond big markets. If Indo-Pak & Kashmir situation goes wrong; this will go way beyond the borders of the subcontinent. This issue goes beyond big trade…I believe with 900,000 Indian troops in Kashmir we are poised for a massacre if human rights are not granted.”

Responding to a reporter of Reuters about possibility of Pakistan’s role in containing the tension between Iran and USA, Prime Minister Imran Khan informed: “Before President Trump I stopped over in Saudi Arabia because of the drone attacks on their oil facility. Prince Mohammad Bin Salman asked me to speak to the Irani President, President Trump also asked me to try and help deescalate the situation. I can not reveal more than that except that we are trying and mediating. I am hoping that there is no conflict.”

Saying that he did not believe conflicts really resolved anything he reminded: “We have the conflict in Afghanistan; and you have me on record saying this war will take us nowhere. We were told Afghan War would be over in a few weeks and here we are 19 years down the line still waiting for negotiations and a deal to be signed. We are waiting for the Taliban to speak directly to the Afghan government.Peace in Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest and interest in the people of Pakistan. Going back to the Saudi and Iran conflict, it will be devastating for developing countries if a conflict drives oil prices up.”

Imran Khan said that before 5th of August (when IoK was stripped of its special autonomous status) he told Modi India and Pakistan had common issues: “No. 1 being poverty alleviation; and conflict creates more poverty. But post 5th Aug; amidst a humanitarian crisis & Article 370 revocation, there’s no dialogue & that’s why I asked POTUS to intervene. If ever the UN Security Council has to move; it’s now. The Security Council could not act to implement its 11 resolutions, so far. 8 million people are locked in Kashmir for 50 days.

“Kashmir issue has the potential of the unthinkable. Two nuclear states head to head. This is why the security council came into being; to prevent this from happening. So what else would UNSC be good for? I would not have come here had it not been for this alarming situation along with the situation we have going back at home as well. But a sane mind can not think of a nuclear war.”

PM Imran Khan asked: “Would you expect a civilized government to put 8 million people under lockdown? There can be such a massive miscalculation and that is why I am worried and I am here.”

Answering a query he informed that Taliban wanted to talk to the US government but not the Afghan government: “This was a sticky point; you’re right. At one point they even wanted to talk to me, but the afghan government didn’t want me to… so I didn’t. I would have met Afghan Taliban for only one reason; to get them to talk to the Afghan government. But through a tweet we found out the deal was off. But let me reiterate that there is no military solution. Once the talks are direct, they will get to a solution.”

He said that he was disappointed by the international community: “To be absolutely frank…if 8 million Europeans or Jews or Americans were put under siege… well even if 8 Americans had been put under siege… you can imagine the reaction. Yet, there has been no pressure on Narendra Modi, but we will keep up the pressure. I will talk about this at the UN; if there is a massacre…. there are 900,000 troops there. They are not there to fight just 500 terrorists.

“Those 900,000 troops are there to intimidate and fight an entire Muslim population. This will have repercussions far beyond Kashmir. Over 1 billion Muslims are watching this unfold. But where is the world community? This will have repercussions and will create radicalization. I am flagging this right now.”

He said that there was a likelihood of a massacre in Kashmir and the world community would be responsible: “What will happen when the curfew in Kashmir is lifted? Post the loss of lives, do you think the people of Kashmir will accept a status quo?”

He went on to express his disappointment: “I feel disappointed- not as a Pakistani PM but as a human being – that how can the world community stay quiet when 8 million people are being treated worse than animals. And sadly the reason is because people see India as a big market of 1.2 billion people. Materialism trumps humanity. Even people who are appalled by it stay quiet. But all those looking at this as a big market; this can go very wrong.”

Insinuating that an Indo-Pak conflict could go beyond control he said: “Once a conflict starts between two nuclear armed nations, it goes beyond our hands. I have said this to the Indian people too. And it is madness to allow this situation to deteriorate further. After how the people of Kashmir have been treated, do you think they will just accept annexure to India? I think there is possibility of a massacre.”

When an Anadolu reporter posed a question, Imran Khan said: “First of all I really want to thank President Erdogan for mentioning Kashmir today in his speech. And we feel after him more world leaders will talk about it and at the very least ask India to lift the siege. We have a great relationship with Turkey; President is coming to Pakistan next month and we are hoping to forward our relations in trade. And we are thankful that he has taken such a stance on the issue of the people of Kashmir.”

Imran Khan held: “Until there is a just settlement to the Palestinian issue; there will always be conflict there. With Israel so powerful, the world has put a lid on the issue. But I think Kashmir issue is different. For 30 yrs the resistance movement has grown & this latest siege has alienated the entire spectrum of Kashmiris including pro-India Kashmiri leaders. Today, no pro-India leaders will get a vote in Kashmir. What message the BJP government has sent to the people of Kashmir is that they are not human beings. And this is a damaging mindset.”

Informing about OIC summit Imran Khan said: “After UNGA we’ll have an OIC summit. We’ll gather all Muslim leaders. The only reason why Kashmiris are subjected to this is; they’re Muslims. That’s why it’s imp for the Muslim world to take a stance. Otherwise this will lead to radicalization.”

Pointing how the West encouraged and supported in all manners the fight against Soviets after their invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 he stated: “Soviet’s invaded Afghanistan. 1980-81: Americans decided to back the freedom struggle in Afghanistan. 80’s: Jihad was declared against the Soviets and Muslims from all over the world were invited to take part in the freedom movement. Amongst these Muslims welcomed for Jihad against Soviets, were Al Qaeda and other militant groups. Of course the Pakistani army trained them; but it was CIA that was funding them.

“Groups like Al-Qaeda et al, were then called terrorists by the Russians but the Americans called them freedom fighters. But when the Russians left, the Americans also packed up but left these militant groups behind for us.

“This time round, when the Americans leave Afghanistan we hope there is a transition to a proper political solution otherwise there will again be chaos in Afghanistan. We in the past were left with these militants all dressed up & nowhere to go, we were given the job to clear it up. We ended up losing 70,000 people from 2003 onwards. And my point is; either we should not have been part of the Afghan jihad or then we shouldn’t, in WOT.

“I met and apprised President Trump exactly of the situation. And I told him the gravity of the situation. Intelligent human beings think ahead; you hope for the best but you prepare for the worst. The worst scenario in this is the unthinkable. In my opinion the situation will deteriorate but we have informed the word community. And if India tries to blame Pakistan; we will have already informed the world.”

“Post 9/11, the word Islamic terrorism was used to wipe out all human rights. And Narendra Modi is now using that term to get away with terrorism. We are telling the world, send your own observers. The excuse for putting under curfew for 50 days is to “develop” Kashmir; the Narendra Modi position is this is for Kashmiri prosperity. But at least we have informed the world as to what is going on.

“We are approaching every diplomatic effort and talking to world leaders. We are speaking to world media. I believe that the media is very powerful. I had meetings yesterday and realized a lot of the western media already knows what’s going on.”

He recalled that when the ethnic cleaning of Muslims in Bosnia happened it was it was the world media that put pressure on the global community to take action. 

Answering a question he said: “As for a start India need to remove the curfew. This inhuman curfew of 50 days; even the congress party of India has conceded that no one knows what is going on.”

About the cancellation of Afghan deal he said: “We thought a deal was being signed in Afghanistan. We found out through a tweet that the deal had been called off. But we will try our best to get the Taliban to talk to the Afghan government.”

Focusing again on Kashmir PM said: “InshaAllah you will see that Kashmir issue will not die down. We will keep it alive. I believe what Modi has done, he has boxed himself into a blind alley. There is fear of a massacre if and when the curfew is lifted. When 8 million people lose fear of dying, and freedom becomes a bigger rallying point than living a life of slavery, PM Modi will not be able to control it. The momentum will only grow.”

As to why the world was not reacting to the Kashmir atrocities, Imran Khan said that countries did not want to lose access to markets: “Countries that do not want to lose growth will ignore climate change. They will ignore corruption, ruling elites of the developing world taking money out. If anything, the richer countries benefit from the plundering of the poor countries and we want the world to take notice of this. The richer countries need to have stronger money laundering laws. The minute they realize money has been taken from a poor country, they should give it back. But the laws are so complicated that they do not act as a deterrent. They need to stop this from happening.”

Answering to a question about nuclear war he said that had the potential of the unthinkable: “Two nuclear states head to head. This is why the security council came into being. So what else would it be good for? If ever the Security Council has to move; it’s now: 1) the Security Council could not act to implement its 11 resolutions. 8 million people are locked in for 50 days…

“But post 5th August; in the midst of a humanitarian crisis and the revocation of 370 there is no talking and that is why I have asked President trump to intervene. Before 5th August; I told PM Modi that we have common issues. The number one being poverty alleviation; and conflict creates more poverty.”

Responding to another question he said: “We have the conflict in Afghanistan; and you have me on record saying this war will take us nowhere. We were told it would be over in a few weeks and here we are 19 years down the line still waiting for negotiations and a deal to be signed.”

To a query about Iran Imran Khan said: “I can not reveal more than that except that we are trying and mediating. I am hoping that there is no conflict. I do not believe that conflicts really resolve anything… Prince Mohammad Bin Salman asked me to speak to the Iranian President, and President Trump also asked me to try and help deescalate the situation. Before President Trump I stopped over in Saudi Arabia because of the drone attacks on their oil facility.”

He said that an Indo-Pak war will go beyond the borders of Sub-Continent: “If this goes wrong; this will go way beyond the borders of the subcontinent. This goes beyond big trade… After the Cuban missile crisis; we have two nuclear nations at head to head with each other. And then they are trying to build this narrative that there are terrorists on the border from Pakistan ready to go into Kashmir.

“They don’t believe in the quality of Muslims or even of Christians. This is not the India I know, the India I have known. I have spoken to world leaders; I have spoken to President Trump, Boris Johnson. I’ve spoken to Angela Merkel, President Macron.

“But then post the elections when we found them trying to put us on the blacklist of FATF, we realized they had an agenda.

“I called PM Modi when I took power and I said we have common problems; poverty, climate change. But all our efforts were rebuffed. We thought, nationalist party, maybe they need to pander to their audience.

“You can read who the founding fathers of the RSS looked up to. Hitler and Mussolini; this is open knowledge.

“Under Narendra Modi’s chief ministership Muslims were butchered and burned alive in Gujarat. 15000 people became homeless; Muslims.

“February a boy blew himself up in Kashmir. The parents of the boy said he had been radicalized by the Indian forces there.

“It had nothing to do with Pakistan. We asked them for proof of any involvement from Pakistan. Instead, India sent bombers in. We chased their jets and took them down and captured a pilot

“We let the pilot go as a gesture of peace but unfortunately India did not view it that way. Unfortunately India today is ruled by the RSS; a party that was banned, that killed Mahatma Gandhi.

“With 900,000 soldiers there, we are fearing a massacre. Whatever happens in Kashmir, India tries to pin it on Pakistan. Unilaterally the BJP government has annexed Kashmir, against their own constitution. This is a war crime.

“We are approaching every diplomatic effort and talking to world leaders. We are speaking to world media. I believe that the media is very powerful. I had meetings yesterday and realized a lot of the western media already knows what’s going on.

“InshaAllah you will see Kashmir issue will die not die down. We will keep it alive. PM Imran Khan clears up all the propaganda around his statements that were twisted yesterday. The history of the Soviets, the CIA policy in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s role are all a part of history. A lesson for those who haven’t bothered to read.

He said he was a bit disappointed by the international community, if 8 million Europeans, 8 million Jews or Americans…. in fact if even 8 Americans were under siege how would the world community have responded, would the reaction have been the same? 900,000 troops are not to fight terrorists; They are to control, intimidate & subjugate a population. The entire Muslim Population I mean. This will have repercussions far beyond Kashmir and over 1 billion Muslims are watching. Where is the world community?

“I’m disappointed; not as a Pakistani PM but as a human being that how can the world community stay quiet when 8 million people are being treated worse than animals. Over 1 billion Muslims are watching this unfold. But where is the world community? This will have repercussions and will create radicalization. I am flagging this right now. What will happen when the curfew is lifted…Post the loss of lives, do you think the people of Kashmir will accept a status quo? There is every likelihood of a massacre and the world community will be responsible.”

He said: “Unfortunately India today is ruled by the RSS; a party that was banned, that killed Mahatma Gandhi. Under Narendra Modi’s chief ministership More than 2000 people were butchered and burned alive in Gujarat. 150,000 people became homeless; Muslims.”

PM again appreciated President Erdogan’s statement that the stability and prosperity of South Asia cannot be separated from the Kashmir issue: “I thank Turkey’s President Erdogan for raising the issue of IOJK in the UN General Assembly & calling for a solution to this long-standing dispute. Referring to the siege of IOJK, he pointed out that despite UN resolutions, 8 million people are stuck in IOJK.”

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