Kashmir Solidarity Day: Pakistan reaffirms moral, political and diplomatic support for IIOJK people

Islamabad (Web Desk): Kashmir Solidarity Day is being marked across the country on Thursday as Pakistan renews its expression of support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and their pursuit of the right to self-determination.

The observance is intended to highlight the situation in the disputed region and draw the world’s attention to reported human rights concerns there.

Various events, including rallies, solidarity walks, seminars, and exhibitions, are taking place throughout Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. At 10:00am, citizens observed a one-minute silence nationwide to honour those who lost their lives in the Kashmir freedom struggle.

In separate statements, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast moral, diplomatic, and political backing for the Kashmiri people.

They stressed that the right to self-determination for Kashmiris is recognized under relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and urged the international community to move beyond verbal concern and take practical steps to press India to end alleged rights violations in IIOJK.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also called on global powers to take meaningful action in response to what he described as a worsening human rights climate in the territory.

He emphasized the need for accountability regarding India’s unilateral steps and urged the implementation of UN resolutions to enable Kashmiris to exercise their promised right.

Dar said India’s continued stance challenges the UN Charter, Security Council decisions, and the Fourth Geneva Convention, adding that Pakistan remains focused on achieving a peaceful and lasting solution to the dispute.

Messages of solidarity also came from Pakistan’s military leadership. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, along with the armed forces, reiterated their support for the people of IIOJK.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the armed forces maintained that a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue, aligned with UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, is essential for enduring stability in South Asia.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that Kashmir occupies a special place in the hearts of Pakistanis and paid tribute to Kashmiri martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for self-determination.

She described the situation in the valley as deeply troubling and urged the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations to take notice of human rights concerns.

She reiterated Pakistan’s continued diplomatic, political, and moral support and expressed hope that Kashmiris would one day achieve freedom.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah termed Kashmir Pakistan’s jugular vein and voiced solidarity on behalf of the Sindh government and the Pakistan Peoples Party.

He recalled the diplomatic efforts of former leaders Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto in raising the Kashmir issue at the United Nations and said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has carried the cause forward on international platforms.

He emphasized that the right to self-determination is fundamental for Kashmiris and pledged continued support until the dispute is resolved in line with UN resolutions.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the people of Pakistan share a deep emotional bond with Kashmiris and condemned what he described as decades of oppression and serious rights violations in IIOJK.

He said such measures have failed to shake the determination of the Kashmiri people and maintained that their struggle for freedom will ultimately succeed.

Bilawal noted that Benazir Bhutto had formally declared February 5 as Kashmir Solidarity Day to reinvigorate the cause and honour Kashmiri martyrs.

He also criticized the international community for what he called a lack of meaningful action, urging it to fulfil its moral and legal responsibilities under international law and UN resolutions.

Bilawal reaffirmed that the PPP would continue to advocate for the Kashmiri people’s freedom, dignity, and justice at every forum.