Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore lay floral wreath at Azad Jammu and Kashmir Yadgar-e-Shuhada on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day. PHOTO: X (GOV OF PAKISTAN)
MUZAFFARABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmir cause, saying the struggle of the Kashmiri people for the right to self-determination would continue to its logical conclusion in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Addressing a special session of the AJK Legislative Assembly on the occasion of 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 Kashmiri people, saying history bears testimony that Kashmiris can sacrifice their lives and children but would never compromise their freedom. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and AJK Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore laid wreath at the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Yadgar-e-Shuhada.
The house also proposed Fateha following the Prime Minister’s expression of deep grief over the death of former AJK President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry. He recalled the late leader’s lifelong dedication to the Kashmir freedom movement and recognized 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 tribute 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, saying it continued to shape the country’s foreign policy. He argued that lasting peace in South Asia was only possible if India abandoned its hegemonic ambitions and respected the fundamental rights of Kashmiris.
Drawing a parallel between Kashmir and Palestine, the Prime Minister said granting the oppressed people the right to live as they wish was a test 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 these two issues.
Announcing a comprehensive development program 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 projects, hydropower projects, building bridges and increased funding for universities, including women’s higher education institutions.
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 Kashmir cause.
Earlier, AJK Prime Minister Rathore thanked the Prime Minister for his visit to AJK for the third time in a short span of time, terming it a manifestation of his commitment to the Kashmiri people.
He said Pakistan’s political leadership had always remained united on 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, especially 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 with Kashmiris and prioritizing development alongside the freedom struggle.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Leader of Opposition Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan, PTI AJK Chairman Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan Niazi, Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, Sardar Hassan Ibrahim Khan, cabinet members and legislators attended the session.
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Force Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also visited Muzaffarabad, where he laid wreath at the Jammu and Kashmir Martyrs’ Monument and paid homage to the Shuhada of the freedom movement.
According to the ISPR, the COAS recognized the legacy of bravery and selfless sacrifice of the martyrs and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He said Indian atrocities, continued human rights violations and Hindutva excesses had failed to suppress the legitimate aspirations of Kashmiris.
The COAS stressed that Pakistan would continue to highlight the Kashmir issue at all relevant international forums until a just solution was found, in line with the 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 preparedness and vigilance.
He reiterated that any act of aggression would be met with a prompt and appropriate response, stressing that the Pakistani armed forces remain fully prepared to counter conventional and hybrid threats.
