ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have urged the international community to press India to end its ongoing human rights violations in Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Both leaders reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to standing in full moral, diplomatic, and political solidarity with the Kashmiri people, emphasizing Pakistan’s dedication to supporting Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
In a message for “Kashmir Black Day,” observed on October 27, President Zardari said that Pakistan would “stand shoulder-to-shoulder” with Kashmiris until they attain their “inalienable right to self-determination.” Reflecting on history, he noted that October 27, 1947, marked a dark turning point in South Asia as India deployed forces to occupy Jammu and Kashmir. The president underscored that for generations, Kashmiris have endured severe repression by Indian forces and that the recent conflicts in the Middle East serve as a reminder that unresolved disputes risk prolonged instability.
“Three generations of Kashmiris have awaited the world, particularly the United Nations, to uphold their right to self-determination. The world cannot continue neglecting this responsibility,” he added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed these sentiments, stating that on this day 77 years ago, Indian forces landed in Srinagar, stifling the Kashmiri people’s legitimate aspirations for self-determination. He emphasized that despite decades of hardship, the resolve of the people of IIOJK remains undeterred.
“I pay tribute to the sacrifices made by the Kashmiri people in their struggle for self-determination. Their sacrifices will not be in vain,” the prime minister affirmed.
Referring to recent developments, the prime minister highlighted India’s actions since August 5, 2019, as attempts to alter the status of IIOJK and prevent Kashmiris from exercising their democratic rights. He condemned the harsh conditions faced by Kashmiris today, including widespread restrictions on their freedoms and livelihoods. With thousands of political prisoners detained under strict counterterrorism laws, he stressed that these oppressive measures only strengthen the Kashmiri people’s desire for freedom.
In his address at the United Nations General Assembly, the prime minister had reiterated Pakistan’s position that peace in South Asia hinges on the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, aligned with UNSC resolutions and the Kashmiri people’s aspirations. He urged India to acknowledge that coercive tactics will not silence the legitimate demands of the Kashmiri people.
