Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), calling for an end to human rights violations and a peaceful resolution of the longstanding dispute in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.
In a statement issued on Kashmir Black Day, the prime minister said the arrival of Indian forces in Srinagar on October 27, 1947, marked the beginning of a tragic period in Jammu and Kashmir’s history, the consequences of which continue to affect the region.
He expressed serious concern over the continued detention of Kashmiri political leaders, activists and human rights defenders.
“Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir remains clear, consistent and principled,” Shehbaz said, stressing that lasting peace and stability in South Asia could not be achieved without a just and peaceful settlement of the dispute that reflects the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and complies with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Paying tribute to the sacrifices made by Kashmiris, the prime minister said countless men, women and children had endured immense hardships in their struggle for their rights. He reaffirmed that the government and people of Pakistan would continue to stand firmly with the people of occupied Kashmir.
In a separate statement issued by the Presidency, President Asif Ali Zardari said the people of IIOJK had faced decades of conflict, restrictions and denial of fundamental rights since October 27, 1947.
He noted that restrictions on basic freedoms, increased militarisation, arrests and reports of human rights abuses remained serious concerns requiring sustained international attention.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in his message, said the people of IIOJK continued to be deprived of their fundamental rights under Indian rule, nearly eight decades after Indian forces entered Srinagar.
Dar said the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination, recognised by the United Nations, remained unresolved. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for their pursuit of freedom, dignity and the right to decide their future.
He also criticised India’s unilateral measures of August 5, 2019, saying they had worsened conditions in the disputed territory and intensified the suffering of its population. He maintained that these measures could not change the internationally disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir.
The foreign minister urged the international community to fulfil its responsibilities towards Kashmiris, maintain close attention to the human rights situation in the territory and press India to end alleged rights violations and allow the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination.
Dar paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to providing political, diplomatic and moral support to their cause.
He stressed that a fair, peaceful and lasting settlement of the dispute, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, was essential for regional peace and stability. He added that the issue could not be resolved through unilateral measures or the use of force.
