LAHORE: Former speaker of the National Assembly and ex-chairman of the Kashmir Committee, Syed Fakhar Imam, has said the Kashmir cause is based on justice and fairness and the entire world recognises the area as a disputed territory, while the human rights violations by India are unparalleled globally.

He was addressing the Kashmir Solidarity Day conference jointly organised by the Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), Multan, Young Pakistanis Organization and Nazriya Pakistan Forum,Multan,onMonday.

Educationist and Nazriya Pakistan Forum president Prof Hameed Raza Siddiqi presided overthe conference.

Mr Shah related the history of the Kashmir issue and criticised India for evading negotiations and reiterated the demand for the right to self-determination for the Kashmiris.

Mr Shah condemned the Modi government`s revocation of Kashmir`s special status, which has led to the deployment of 900,000 Indian troops in the valley, turning it into the world`s largest military zone.

Shah noted that Pakistan receives its water from Kashmir`s rivers, while India generates 10,000MW15,000MW of electricity from Kashmir and earns a billion dollars annually from Kashmirihandicrafts.

He called for internationalising the Kashmir issue as a matter of regional andglobalimportance.

Mr Shah also highlighted the diplomatic, political, and moral defeat India has faced on various international forums, including the EuropeanParliament, over the issue.

Emphasising the nuclear capabilities of both India and Pakistan, Mr Shah cautioned against forgetting this fact. He praised China`s exemplary support for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and noted the resilience of the Kashmiri peo-ple despite six years of strict curfew.

Prof Siddiqi said Quaide-Azam had declared Kashmir the jugular vein of Pakistan.

Other speakers included Prof Tauseef Sultan, Prof Muhammad Riaz, Dr Samza Fatima and Naeem Iqbal Naeem.