The President and Prime Minister reaffirmed their unwavering moral, diplomatic and political support to the people of Kashmir.
Islamabad residents take part in a protest for Kashmir Day. PHOTO: APPLICATION
Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed on Thursday to express support to the Indian people of Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in their struggle for the right to self-determination.
This day draws international attention to Indian atrocities committed in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
To mark the occasion, solidarity marches, 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 homage to the martyrs of the Kashmir freedom movement.
In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed their unwavering moral, diplomatic and political support to the brothers and sisters of Kashmir in their just cause to achieve the right to self-determination as 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 Kashmiri people and persuade India to end human rights violations in the IIOJK.
In his message, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged the international community to take decisive action to address the deteriorating 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 Kashmiri people to exercise their promised right to self-determination.
The DPM said India’s continued defiance undermines the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Dar said Pakistan’s efforts would remain focused on seeking a peaceful and lasting resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Read: “The armed forces stand with Kashmir”
Meanwhile, in their messages on the occasion of Kashmir Day, Chief of Defense Force and Chief of Army Staff Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Pakistan Armed Forces reiterated their unwavering support to the resilient people of the IIOJK in its struggle for self-determination.
According to the ISPR, the Pakistan Armed Forces reiterated that a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, remains essential for lasting peace and stability in South Asia.
In her message, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that love for Kashmir is present in the heart of every Pakistani, paying tribute to the Kashmiri martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the right to self-determination.
She said Indian brutality in IIOJK had turned the valley into a prison and urged the United Nations and other world bodies to take action against human rights violations. She reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued diplomatic, political and moral support to the Kashmiri people and expressed hope that they will soon see the dawn of freedom.
In his message, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said Kashmir was the jugular vein of Pakistan and paid tribute to the struggle of the Kashmiri people. He said the Sindh government and Pakistan Peoples Party stood in complete solidarity with Kashmiris.
He highlighted the role of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in raising the Kashmir issue at the United Nations and exposing Indian atrocities. He said President Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had strengthened the cause of Kashmir diplomatically at the global level.
He said the right to self-determination is the fundamental right of Kashmiris, their sacrifices will not go in vain and Pakistan will continue 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 Pakistani people beat with those of their Kashmiri brothers and sisters, highlighting that Indian brutality and gross human rights violations have continued in the IIOJK for the past seven decades.
He said Indian oppression has failed to weaken the unwavering determination of the Kashmiri people and their rightful struggle for freedom, adding that no power in the world can now stop them from fulfilling their destiny.
Bilawal said the vision of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was taken up by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who declared February 5 as Kashmir Solidarity Day to give further impetus to the Kashmir cause and pay tribute to the martyrs of Kashmir 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 Kashmiri people.
Bilawal reiterated that Pakistan People’s Party stands firmly with the Kashmiri people and will continue to raise its voice at all forums until Kashmiris achieve freedom, dignity and justice.
Central President of Pakistan People’s Party Women’s Wing Faryal Talpur said that Kashmir Solidarity Day reminds the world of the sufferings, sacrifices and resilience of the people of IIOJK, who continue to face serious human rights violations.
In a statement issued by Bilawal House, she said India’s record of oppression in the IIOJK over the last seven decades would remain a stain on humanity. She added that the courage of the Kashmiri youth and the sufferings of the Kashmiri families were awakening the global conscience and the day was not far when freedom would dawn in the IIOJK.
Faryal Talpur paid tribute to Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto for raising the Kashmir issue at the international level, saying their legacy underpins Pakistan’s principled stand. She said the PPP, led by President Asif Ali Zardari and President Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, would continue to promote the cause of Kashmir in all forums and stand with the Kashmiri people until they ensure their right to self-determination as per UN resolutions.
Sindh Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon paid tribute to Kashmiris and martyrs, saying February 5 reflected Pakistan’s solidarity towards them. He noted that Kashmiris have fought for decades for their rights and self-determination, despite harsh oppression from India.
Memon said Pakistan stood with Kashmiris and urged the international community to ensure their rights under UN resolutions. He added that India’s actions threaten regional peace and that the Kashmir struggle is a struggle for human rights and justice.
