Kashmiris justified if they take up arms: Shehbaz Sharif

Lahore, Sep 1 (IANS) Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif, brother of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has said the Kashmiris have the right to take up arms if oppression continues.

"Kashmiris would be justified in taking up arms if the international community fails to stop their ethnic cleansing as the UN resolutions give the oppressed the right to armed struggle against an occupying force," Shehbaz Sharif, also leader of opposition in Pakistan's National Assembly, said in a statement.

He said the Kashmiri youth cannot remain silent over the crimes being committed against their mothers, sisters, daughters and children.

Sharif also said a nation faced with ethnic cleansing has the right to go to any extent for their defense and survival. He said if the international community does not abide by its commitment then it will not have the right to preach sermons to anyone.

"If the bloodshed is not stopped then the oppressed Kashmiris will consider the international community as hands-in-glove with the murderers," he said.

Pakistanis cannot remain silent over the oppression of Kashmiris, and just as the West was concerned about East Timor and South Sudan, Pakistan is concerned about Kashmir, he added.

"The Western nations were concerned about Christian populations and the rights of other nations while Pakistan is concerned about Kashmir and Palestine. The world is standing at cross roads," Sharif said.

"Peace and prosperity cannot be expected after sowing seeds of oppression."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is playing with the peace of the entire world and humanity, he added.