Islamabad (Web Desk): President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and forces chiefs, in their messages on Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir on Monday, reaffirmed their steadfast solidarity with courageous and resilient people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari said that India’s actions since August 5, 2019 demonstrated complete disregard for international law, the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions regarding Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
“Today marks the completion of five years of India’s latest campaign to consolidate its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. On this day, five years ago, India took a number of unilateral and unlawful steps in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to undermine its internationally recognised disputed status. “
Since August 5, 2019, he said India has embarked upon a ceaseless campaign to alter the demographic structure and political landscape of IIOJK.
Issuing domicile certificates to outsiders, registering temporary residents in the voters’ lists, gerrymandering assembly constituencies, and modifying land and property ownership laws are some of the key features of this campaign. All these measures are in blatant violation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions and international law, including the 4th Geneva Convention, he observed.
“The continued presence of hundreds of thousands of Indian troops has turned IIOJK into one of the most heavily militarized zones in the world. The gross human rights violations in IIOJK have been documented extensively and condemned globally. The mistreatment of Kashmiri journalists and human rights defenders has further revealed India’s willingness to go to any lengths to silence dissenting voices. India would not succeed in suppressing the just struggle of the people of IIOJK through domestic legislation and judicial verdicts,” he added.
The president said that for the past seven decades, the Kashmiris had waited for the UN to fulfil its solemn commitments.
“It is crucial that the international community urges India to end its human rights violations in IIOJK and implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”
“Pakistan, for its part, will continue to extend full moral, diplomatic and political support to the just struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant UNSC resolutions,” he added.
In his message on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan will continue to extend its strong moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people till the realization of their inalienable right to self determination.
He said that the people and Government of Pakistan are observing the Youm-e Istehsal today.
“This somber occasion reminds us of the grave consequences of India’s illegal actions of 5 August 2019 vis-à-vis (IIOJK).”
On August 5, 2019, he said India took a series of steps to consolidate its occupation of lIOJK.
“Ever since, India has been trying to convince the world that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of its territory. However, international law, historical facts, moral principles and the situation on the ground deny India’s baseless claims.
Today, in IIOJK, efforts are being made to silence the genuine leadership of the Kashmiri people and muzzle the media. The number of political prisoners remains in the thousands, while 14 political organizations have been outlawed.
Harassment of innocent people, arbitrary detentions, and the so-called ‘cordon and search operations have become a matter of routine. The Indian forces are operating with impunity, according to them under different draconian laws,” he added.
“I, however, salute the indomitable courage of the Kashmiri people that has enabled them to withstand every Indian attempt to subjugate them. There is no doubt that India’s coercive methods have failed to diminish their yearning for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination.”
“History has proven, time and again, that durable peace in South Asia remains contingent upon the settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. In the interest of lasting peace and security in South Asia, India must move from dispute denial to dispute resolution,” the premier said.
PM Shehbaz said that the international community must urge India to halt its egregious human rights violations in IIOJK; reverse its unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August 2019; repeal the draconian laws; and implement the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.
Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said August 5, 2019, will be remembered as a dark day in history when the Indian government unlawfully annulled the special status of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
In his message on Youm-e-Istehsal, he said such acts will never change the facts or undermine the right to self-determination of Kashmiris and will not silence their voices.
The Senate chairman said that it is high time for the global community to acknowledge the pain and suffering of the people of IIOJK.
“Pakistan wants peace in the region, and peace is directly linked with the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiris,” Gilani said.
CJCSC, services chiefs reaffirm unequivocal support to Kashmiris on Youm-e-Istehsal
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), Services Chiefs, and the Pakistan Armed Forces reaffirm their steadfast solidarity with the courageous and resilient people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
“On the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs, and the Pakistan Armed Forces reaffirm their steadfast solidarity with the courageous and resilient people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). We unequivocally support their legitimate and protracted struggle for the inalienable right to self-determination,” a statement issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
The Indian Security Forces’ egregious violations of international law, including the ongoing draconian military lockdown, unlawful attempts to alter the demographic structure of the occupied territory, and persistent human rights abuses, are deeply reprehensible. These unjust actions, coupled with the Indian government’s belligerent rhetoric and hostile posturing, perpetuate the security and humanitarian crises in IIOJ&K, posing a constant threat to regional stability.
It is axiomatic that lasting peace and stability in the region hinge on the resolution of the long-standing Kashmir dispute, in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The Pakistan Armed Forces pay tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK for their extraordinary sacrifices and reaffirm their unwavering commitment to supporting the Kashmiri people in their righteous struggle against oppression and tyranny, on political, moral, and humanitarian grounds.