Kashmir is the whole Muslim world’s responsibility, says Pakistani minister

India is committing scores of human rights violations in Kashmir, Punjab’s Minister of Transport Muhammad Jahanzaib Khan Khichi said on Friday.

“The Indian army is violating human rights and killing our Muslim brothers and sisters,” Khichi said.

In an exclusive interview with Yeni Şafak Daily, the Pakistani politician called on the world to recognize this situation.

“Kashmiris should have their rights of self-determination,” he said.

Khichi stated that he was hopeful that this situation would be resolved under the UN and that Muslims across the world should support Kashmiris.

“It is the responsibility of the whole Muslim world to help Kashmiris,” he concluded.

Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full. A small sliver of Kashmir is also held by China.

Since they were partitioned in 1947, the two countries have fought three wars -- in 1948, 1965 and 1971 -- two of them over Kashmir.

Also, in Siachen glacier in northern Kashmir, Indian and Pakistani troops have fought intermittently since 1984. A cease-fire came into effect in 2003.

Some Kashmiri groups in Jammu and Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for independence, or for unification with neighboring Pakistan.

According to several human rights organizations, thousands of people have reportedly been killed in the conflict in the region since 1989.