Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore lay wreath at Azad Jammu and Kashmir Yadgar-e-Shuhada on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day. PHOTO: X (GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN)
MUZAFFARABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmir cause, declaring that the struggle of the Kashmiri people for the right to self-determination will continue to its logical conclusion in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Addressing a special session of the AJK Legislative Assembly on Kashmir Solidarity Day, the prime minister also announced a special development package for the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
He paid tribute to the sacrifices of the people of Kashmir and said history was a witness that Kashmiris could sacrifice their lives and children but would never compromise their freedom. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and AJK Chief Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore laid wreath at Azad Jammu and Kashmir Yadgar-e-Shuhada.
The house also offered Fateha following the Prime Minister’s expression of deep grief over the demise of former AJK President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry. He recalled the late leader’s lifelong dedication to the Kashmir freedom movement and acknowledged the political services of his father Chaudhry Noor Hussain among the founding political figures of AJK.
Prime Minister Shehbaz saluted the martyrs of the Kashmir struggle, from Burhan Wani to veteran leader Syed Ali Geelani, and paid tributes to leaders, activists, journalists, women and children, including Asiya Andrabi, Yasin Malik and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. He said the blood of innocent Kashmiris had exposed India’s narrative before the world.
He recalled Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s statement that Kashmir was Pakistan’s jugular vein and said it continued to shape the country’s foreign policy. He argued that a lasting peace in South Asia was not possible unless India abandoned its hegemonic ambitions and respected the fundamental rights of the Kashmiris.
Drawing a parallel between Kashmir and Palestine, the prime minister said granting oppressed people the right to live according to their will was proof of the international community’s commitment to democracy, justice and international law, adding that Pakistan would continue to play an active role in the peaceful resolution of both issues.
Announcing a comprehensive development package for AJK, the Prime Minister outlined plans for Danish schools, a world-class Danish university in Muzaffarabad focusing on modern technology, IT, artificial intelligence and scientific research, enhanced stipends for Kashmiri migrants, merit-based distribution of laptops, scholarships under the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund, water supply schemes, hydroelectric projects, construction of bridges and increased funding for universities, including institutions of higher education for women.
Concluding his speech, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured continued cooperation with AJK irrespective of political changes and urged unity, perseverance and collective determination to achieve national development goals and advance the cause of Kashmir.
Earlier, AJK Chief Minister Rathore thanked the Prime Minister for visiting AJK for the third time in a short period, terming it a manifestation of his commitment to the people of Kashmir.
He said Pakistan’s political leadership had always remained united in Kashmir and praised the country’s diplomatic efforts, adding that Indian forces had failed to suppress the Kashmiri spirit despite decades of militarization.
Rathore also paid tribute to Kashmiri martyrs and Pakistani armed forces and expressed gratitude for development initiatives, particularly Danish schools and educational projects, saying they would ensure the future of Kashmiri youth.
AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar thanked the Prime Minister for standing shoulder to shoulder with Kashmiris and prioritizing development along with freedom struggle.
The session was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Opposition Leader Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan, PTI AJK Chairman Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan Niazi, Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, Sardar Hassan Ibrahim Khan, cabinet members and legislators.
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also visited Muzaffarabad where he laid a wreath at the Jammu and Kashmir Martyrs’ Memorial and paid homage to the Shuhada of the freedom movement.
According to ISPR, the COAS recognized the legacy of valor and selfless sacrifice of the martyrs and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of illegally occupied Indian Jammu and Kashmir. He said Indian atrocities, continued human rights violations and Hindutva-driven excesses had failed to suppress the legitimate aspirations of Kashmiris.
The COAS emphasized that Pakistan would continue to highlight the Kashmir issue at all relevant international forums until a just resolution is achieved in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
He also visited a forward post, interacted with frontline troops and praised their morale, professionalism and combat readiness, emphasizing the need for maximum operational readiness and vigilance.
He reiterated that any act of aggression would receive a prompt and appropriate response, and underlined that Pakistan’s armed forces remain fully prepared to counter both conventional and hybrid threats.
