National News

ISLAMABAD, (MILLAT+APP): Speakers here at the seminar
Wednesday underlined the need for taking up the Junagadh case at
international forums.
They said the young generation should have the knowledge about
the importance of Junagadh case.
The event was organized by MUSLIM Institute and Centre for
International Peace & Stability, NUST titled “Indian Occupation on
Junagadh: Policy Options for Pakistan”.
The prominent among those who addressed the event included
Nawab of Junagadh State Nawab Jahangir Khanji, Vice Chancellor of
Air University Air Vice Marshal (R) Faaiz Amir, Chairman MUSLIM
Institute Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali, Associate Dean CIPCS NUST Dr.
Tughral Yamin, Expert on International Law Ahmer Bilal Soofi,
Assistant Professor Dept. of History QAU Dr. Farooq Ahmad Dar, Lt.
Gen. (R) Saeed Zafar, Professor of Preston University Dr. Z A
Qureshi and Research Associate of Research Society of International
Law Abeer Mustafa.
Speakers said Nawab of Junagadh Nawab Mahabat Khanji had
decided to accede to Pakistan because he was very impressed with
the policies of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
On September 15, 1947, Nawab of Junagadh opted to accede to
Pakistan and signed the letter of accession. Defence, communication
and foreign affairs were under responsibility of government of
Pakistan. Junagadh became first such state to accede to Pakistan.
The decision of Nawab was in consultation with the state
council which included the Hindu as well as Muslim members.
India didn’t accept this decision and economically sieged the
country and caused the human rights violations, they added.
On November 9, 1947 India occupied the Junagadh state by
military offensive. According to May 12, 1946 declaration,
accession of Junagadh is legal. Quaid-i-Azam made it clear that
Indian occupation on Junagadh was unacceptable and thus Pakistan
took the case to United Nations where it is still unresolved.
According to June 3 plan, Quaid-i-Azam gave the option
wholeheartedly to all the princely states whether to join Pakistan
or Indian or to remain independent. The Quaid was very clear in his
policy that the states which will accede to Pakistan, those will be
given choice to decide about terms of accession and the method of
governance.
Perhaps this was the reason that many princely states were
willing to accede to Pakistan. In contrast, Congress and Nehru
opposed the independence of states.
Gandhi even said that independence by any state will be
declared as act of war. On the occasion, Lord Mountbatten sided
with India instead of remaining unbiased and especially he forced
many states to join to India.
Kashmir, Junagadh and Hyderabad are those big examples where
India broke the Independence act and international law and occupied
the states.
Nehru and Patel tried hard to prevent the states from opting
to accede to Pakistan.
British government also didn’t take any action against those
illegal actions of India.
India is even today carrying on the same aggressive policy and
is involve in negative activities in the region including spread of
terrorism.
Speakers further said that the instrument of accession has the
status of treaty in accordance with international law.
Pakistan can approach Secretary General of United Nations to
take the action under article 99 and the instrument of accession
can be presented to him as a legal document. Pakistan should
include Junagadh state in its every map.
Pakistan should built itself and economically stronger so that
it can force international community to take the actions against
Indian occupation. Young generation should raise the issue on
social media as well.
Diplomats, academicians, politicians, journalists, researchers
and people from different walks of life participated in round table
discussion.