ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed that peaceful and just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remained a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and Pakistan would continue to extend its diplomatic, political and moral support and raise the voice of Kashmiri people at every regional and international forum.
In his message on the eve of Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan remains unwavering in its moral, political and diplomatic support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
“We will continue to raise our voice at every international forum until the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of Kashmiri people,” he said
President Asif Ali Zardari said that just and lasting peace in South Asia is closely linked to the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. “I urge the international community, particularly the United Nations, to play its role in addressing the grave human rights situation in IIOJK and in advancing a just and peaceful settlement of this longstanding dispute,” he said. “Today, we observe Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir to reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). We pay tribute to their courage, resilience and commitment to their just struggle for the realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination,” he added.
The president said seven years have passed since India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, which sought to alter the internationally recognised disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir in violation of international law and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. “These actions cannot change the legal status of the dispute, nor can they weaken the resolve of the Kashmiri people,” he added.
For seven years, he said, millions of Kashmiris have continued to live under severe restrictions that have affected every aspect of daily life. “Families have endured uncertainty, young people have seen their opportunities constrained and entire communities have continued to bear the burden of prolonged conflict and instability,” he said.
The president said that despite these hardships, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice and their legitimate right to determine their own future. “To my Kashmiri brothers and sisters, I say: Pakistan stands firmly with you. Your courage in the face of adversity inspires us. You are not alone,” he added. He said the people of Pakistan will continue to stand by them until their legitimate right to self-determination is realised. “May Allah Almighty grant the people of Jammu and Kashmir strength, patience and steadfastness, and bless them with justice and lasting peace. Pakistan Zindabad!” he said.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, in a message on the occasion of ‘Youm-e-Istehsal’ being observed on 5th August, reaffirmed that peaceful and just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remained a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and Pakistan would continue to extend its diplomatic, political and moral support and raise the voice of the Kashmiri people at every regional and international forum, the PM Office Media Wing, in a press release, quoted him as saying.
He said Pakistan called upon the international community to urge India to end its human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), reverse its illegal and unilateral measures introduced since August 2019, repeal the draconian laws imposed upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir and create conducive environment to enable the peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute, through the exercise of the right to self-determination by the Kashmiri people in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Shehbaz reiterated that on the ‘Youm-e-Istehsal’, the people and the Government of Pakistan stood in unwavering solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. “We solemnly observe this day to remind the world of the grave consequences of India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5,2019, which sought to alter the internationally recognised disputed status of Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), in flagrant violation of international law and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council,” he added.
The prime minister said seven years on, these unlawful measures had neither changed the legal status of Jammu and Kashmir nor diminished the legitimate aspiration of its people.
Instead, they had deepened repression, undermined fundamental freedom and accelerated attempts to alter the demographic composition of the occupied territory through unlawful legislative and administrative measures, he added. “The continued suppression of the genuine Kashmiri political leadership, restrictions on civil liberties and curbs on independent media, remain a matter of serious concern.”
Despite these challenges, the prime minister observed that the courage, resilience and steadfastness of the Kashmiri people remained unshaken, adding, their peaceful and just struggle for the realisation of their unalienable right to self-determination continued to inspire generations and commanded the respect and support of all those who believe in justice, human dignity and the rule of international law. The prime minister further said, “The Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the principal unresolved issue affecting peace and stability in South Asia. Lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved by coercion or unilateral action, but only through a peaceful settlement of the dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.” He urged the international community to move beyond expressions of concern and play its rightful role in advancing a just and durable resolution of the dispute.
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff & Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and the armed forces of Pakistan, reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with the resilient and courageous people of the IIOJK.
A press release issued by the ISPR said The armed forces of Pakistan reiterate their steadfast support for the legitimate struggle of Kashmiri people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in International law and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The continued illegal occupation of IIOJK by Indian security forces, marked by military siege, rampant human rights violations and attempts to alter the demographic composition of the territory, remains a matter of serious concern, the ISPR said and added, “Such actions, coupled with provocative rhetoric and belligerent posturing, serve only to exacerbate regional instability and perpetuate human suffering.”
“It is explicitly evident that lasting peace and stability in South Asia are intrinsically linked to the just and peaceful settlement of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The people and Armed Forces of Pakistan pay solemn tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK and reiterate their enduring commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Kashmiri people in their just and rightful struggle for freedom,” the ISPR concluded.
In his message, Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir is a solemn reminder of the pain, resilience and unwavering spirit of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), who continue to endure oppression while steadfastly upholding their inalienable right to self-determination.
“August 5, 2019, marked a grave assault on international law, the United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. No unilateral action can erase history, silence a people’s voice, or extinguish their yearning for justice, dignity and freedom,” he said on the eve of Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir.
Bilawal reiterated that lasting peace and stability in South Asia remain inseparable from a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of its people. Reaffirming his party’s unwavering support for the Kashmiris’ just struggle, he urged the international community to ensure the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions.
He called upon Pakistanis across the world to observe Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir with renewed resolve and unwavering solidarity. “Let our collective voice remind the world that no nation can remain silent while a people are denied their fundamental rights. The sacrifices of the Kashmiri people will continue to inspire generations until justice prevails,” he said.
