President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed unwavering solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir and paid tribute to their courage, resilience and commitment to their just struggle for the realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination.
Today marks seven years since India revoked the special constitutional status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had scrapped Article 370 and split the disputed region into two federally administered union territories.
“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,” the president said in a message.
He said these actions could not change the legal status of the dispute, nor could they weaken the resolve of the Kashmiri people.
For seven years, President Zardari said millions of Kashmiris had continued to live under severe restrictions that had 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. 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.”
President Zardari said Pakistan remained unwavering in its moral, political and diplomatic support for the people of 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 the Kashmiri people.”
He highlighted that a just and lasting peace in South Asia was 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.”
“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. The people of Pakistan will continue to stand by you until your legitimate right to self-determination is realised,” the president said and prayed to Allah Almighty to grant the people of Jammu and Kashmir strength, patience and steadfastness, and bless them with justice and lasting peace.
Cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy: PM
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif 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.
He said Pakistan called upon the international community to urge India to end its human rights violations in 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 the 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.
The prime minister, in a message on the occasion of ‘Youm-e-Istehsal’ being observed on August 5, reiterated that on the day, the people and the Pakistani government 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 5 August 2019, which sought to alter the internationally recognised disputed status of the 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,” the PM’s Office said in a statement.
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.
PM Shehbaz 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 UNSC 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.
Kashmir key to regional stability: DPM
Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar urged the international community, particularly the United Nations, to play its role in ensuring respect for international laws, human rights, and the commitments made under the UN framework, and fulfil its long-overdue responsibilities for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
The deputy prime minister, in a televised message on Youm-e-Istehsal being observed today, said that on August 5, 2019, India undertook a series of unilateral and illegal actions in the IIOJK that sought to alter the internationally recognised disputed status of the territory and undermine the rights and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
“These actions represented a grave challenge to the established international framework governing the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and have further intensified the hardships faced by the people of the territory,” he remarked.
The deputy prime minister, who is visiting Jordan to attend a ministerial meeting on Jerusalem, said that the people of Pakistan were observing Youm-e-Istehsal on the day to express solidarity with the resilient people of IIOJK, who continue to face grave challenges in the pursuit of their legitimate right to self-determination.
He reaffirmed unwavering support for their fundamental rights, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and reflected in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
DPM Dar said that the actions of August 5, 2019 and subsequent measures remained a matter of deep concern, having further complicated efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia and adversely impacted the lives, rights, and freedoms of the Kashmiri people.
He said that Pakistan continued to call upon India to cease all actions that undermine the internationally recognized disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir and to take steps conducive to creating an environment for the peaceful resolution of the dispute.
“Lasting peace and stability in South Asia can only be achieved through the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant UNSC resolutions. Pakistan will continue to raise its voice for their rights at all international fora and support efforts aimed at achieving a just and peaceful settlement of the dispute,” he added.
Paying tribute to the resilience, courage, and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, the deputy prime minister said that Pakistan stood in steadfast solidarity with them and would continue to extend its unwavering moral, political, and diplomatic support to their just struggle for the realisation of their legitimate right to self-determination.
