The President and Prime Minister have reaffirmed their unwavering moral, diplomatic and political support to the people of Kashmir.
Residents of Islamabad take part in a Kashmir Day rally. PHOTO: APP
Kashmir Solidarity Day is celebrated on Thursday to express support to the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in their struggle for the right to self-determination.
The day draws the attention of the international community to Indian atrocities in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
To mark the occasion, solidarity walks, seminars and exhibitions are being organized across Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
A minute’s silence was also observed across the country at 10:00 am to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Kashmir freedom movement.
In their message, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed their unwavering moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their just cause of achieving the right to self-determination enshrined in the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
In their separate messages, they urged the international community to go beyond mere expressions of concern for the people of Kashmir and persuade India to end human rights violations in IIOJK.
In his message, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged the international community to take decisive action to address the worsening human rights situation in IIOJK.
He said the world should ensure accountability for India’s illegal and unilateral actions, persuade India to implement UN Security Council resolutions and allow the people of Kashmir their promised right to self-determination.
The DPM said India’s persistent challenge undermines the United Nations Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Dar said Pakistan’s efforts will remain focused on ensuring a peaceful and lasting resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Read: “The Armed Forces support Kashmir”
Meanwhile, in their messages on the occasion of Kashmir Day, Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Pakistan Armed Forces have reaffirmed their unwavering support to the resilient people of IIOJK in their struggle for self-determination.
According to ISPR, Pakistan Armed Forces reiterated that a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Kashmir, remains essential for lasting peace and stability in South Asia.
In her message, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said love for Kashmir is in the heart of every Pakistani and paid tribute to Kashmiri martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the right to self-determination.
He said Indian brutality in IIOJK has turned the valley into a prison and urged the United Nations and other global bodies to act against human rights violations. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued diplomatic, political and moral support to the people of Kashmir and expressed hope that they would soon see the dawn of freedom.
In his message, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan and paid tribute to the struggle of the Kashmiri people. He said the Sindh government and Pakistan People’s Party stand in complete solidarity with the Kashmiris.
He highlighted the role of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in raising the Kashmir issue in the United Nations and exposing Indian atrocities. He said President Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has diplomatically strengthened the Kashmir cause globally.
He said the right to self-determination is a fundamental right of Kashmiris, their sacrifices will not be in vain and Pakistan will continue to extend its political, moral and diplomatic support until the issue is resolved in accordance with UN resolutions.
Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the hearts of the people of Pakistan beat with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters, noting that Indian brutality and gross human rights violations have continued in IIOJK for the last seven decades.
He said Indian oppression has failed to weaken the unwavering resolve of the people of Kashmir and their legitimate struggle for freedom, adding that no power in the world can stop them from achieving their destiny.
Bilawal said that the vision of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was carried forward by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who declared February 5 as Kashmir Solidarity Day to give new impetus to the Kashmir cause and pay homage to the Kashmiri martyrs who sacrificed their lives for freedom.
He said the continued silence of the international community has exposed a clear gap between democratic values and actual practice, urging it to fulfill its moral and legal responsibilities under international law and UN resolutions to protect the fundamental rights of the people of Kashmir.
Bilawal reaffirmed that Pakistan People’s Party firmly stands with the people of Kashmir and will continue to raise its voice at all forums until Kashmiris achieve freedom, dignity and justice.
Pakistan People’s Party Women’s Wing Central Chairperson Faryal Talpur has said that Kashmir Solidarity Day reminds the world of the suffering, sacrifices and resilience of the people of IIOJK, who continue to face grave human rights violations.
In a statement issued from Bilawal House, he said India’s record of oppression in IIOJK over the last seven decades would remain a stain on humanity. He added that the courage of Kashmiri youth and the suffering of Kashmiri families were awakening the world’s conscience, and the day was not far when freedom would dawn in IIOJK.
Faryal Talpur paid tribute to Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto for raising the Kashmir issue at the international level and said their legacy underpins Pakistan’s principled stance. He said the PPP, under President Asif Ali Zardari and President Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, would continue to raise the cause of Kashmir at all forums and support the people of Kashmir until they ensure their right to self-determination as per UN resolutions.
Sindh Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon paid tributes to the Kashmiris and the martyrs and said that February 5 reflects Pakistan’s solidarity with them. He noted that Kashmiris have been fighting for their rights and self-determination for decades, despite harsh oppression by India.
Memon said Pakistan stands with Kashmiris and urged the international community to ensure their rights as per UN resolutions. He added that India’s actions threaten regional peace and that the Kashmir struggle is a fight for human rights and justice.
