Kashmir not an economic enterprise to be divided or bartered.

MIRPUR -- Terming the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir as an indivisible entity, Central Secretary Information Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Azad Jammu and Kashmir Ershad Mahmud has said that talking about the division of the state was tantamount to rubbing salt into the wounds of Kashmiris who have been rendering matchless sacrifices for the right of self-determination.

'Kashmir is not an economic enterprise that could be divided or bartered; it is, in fact, an internationally recognised dispute that needs to be resolved on universally accepted principle of right to self-determination guaranteed to them by no less an authority than the United Nations', Mr Mahmud said in a statement released to the media here on Tuesday.

The PTI AJK leader continued that at this crucial phase of freedom struggle, Tehreek-e-Insaf stands shoulder to shoulder with the embattled and besieged Kashmiris, who he said, have demonstrated high degree of resilience, courage and unity. Referring to dire human rights situation in the Kashmir Valley, the PTI leader said, 'Kashmiris continue to suffer from unrelenting lockdown for the past 135 days. Entire political leadership is in jails including ex-Chief Ministers. Normal life remains suspended and the means of communication, especially the ban on the internet, have plunged the occupied territory into a state of absolute crisis, particularly prolonged shutdowns have resulted in huge economic losses.

He referred Washington Post's comment which stated that 'India's Internet shutdown in Kashmir is the longest ever in a democracy.'

Mr. Mahmud who is also the most sought after political commentator on Kashmir, stated that the impending human tragedy in the occupied Kashmir merits urgent attention of the international community. He, however, observed that...