Minister of State for Safron and Narcotics Control Sheharyar Afridi has been appointed as Chairman Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.
Before him, Fakhar Imam was performing as Chairman Kashmir Committee but he had now been given the responsibility of National Food Security Minister in a recent reshuffle in ministers’ portfolios after FIA report into sugar and wheat crises was released.
Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser on Thursday accepted the resignation of Fakhar Imam and notified Sheharyar Afridi as the new chairman.
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Fakhar Imam was appointed Kashmir Committee chairman by the PTI government replacing Maulana Fazlur Rehman who headed the panel for 11 years.
According to the National Assembly website, functions of the Kashmir Committee are: to monitor human rights violations and atrocities being committed by the Indian forces in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and raise these issues as they arise in all necessary forms; to increase awareness within as well as outside the country about the Kashmir issues.
To mobilize world opinion in support of the cause of right of self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir as well as the principle stand of Pakistan.
To solicit and provide political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for their right of self-determination in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.
To make efforts to monitor and improve the performance of the Organizations working on Kashmir and to provide guidance whenever required.
To consider and decide such other issues and matters relating to above which may be referred to it by the House from time to time; and matters ancillary to the above.