JSMM objects to Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir at Munich conference

A Germanybased Sindhi political organisation the Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz JSMM has strongly objected to the participation of Pakistans Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir in the ongoing Munich Security Conference MSC calling the invitation deeply regrettable and urging international stakeholders to take noteMembers of the JSMM protested outside the venue highlighting the human rights violations in PakistanIn a formal statement addressed to the United Nations the European Union the German government and international human rights bodies JSMM Chairman Shafi Burfat expressed what he described as deep shock and regret over Munirs presence at the highlevel global forumThe Munich Security Conference widely regarded as a key platform for dialogue and conflict resolution annually brings together world leaders diplomats and security experts to address international peace and security challengesIn its statement JSMM alleged that Pakistans military establishment has a historical record of human rights violations and political interference The group referred to the 1971 events in former East Pakistan that led to the creation of Bangladesh describing them as genocide It also accused Pakistans military and intelligence agencies of supporting extremist elements in the region allegations that Islamabad has consistently deniedThe organisation further claimed that Pakistans military wields disproportionate influence over the countrys political and judicial institutionsIt cited the assassinations of former leaders including Liaquat Ali Khan and Benazir Bhutto as well as the execution of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as examples of alleged instability linked to military dominance It also referenced the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan attributing it to tensions with the current military leadershipAdditionally JSMM alleged ongoing enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Sindh Balochistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistanoccupied Jammu and KashmirThe group has urged the Munich Security Conference organisers to reconsider hosting the Pakistani Army chief arguing that his participation lends legitimacy to what it describes as a regime accused of repression and regional destabilisation It also reiterated its demand for Sindhs selfdeterminationThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever