Islamabad, 6 January 2023 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, released a message for Kashmir on the occasion of Right to Self-Determination Day annually observed on January 5.
He stated that the Day served as a reminder to the international community, particularly the United Nations (UN), of the need to keep its promise to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Right of Self-determination
Bilawal urged that the international community should follow through on its commitments. They should take the necessary steps to allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to enjoy the guaranteed right to self-determination.
In this vein, he noted, “On the 5th of January every year, we renew our support for the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
“On this day in 1949, the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) unanimously adopted a resolution espousing the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people through a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations.” Bilawal continued.
According to Foreign Minister, international human rights agreements uphold the right to self-determination as a fundamental foundation of international law.
According to Bilawal the last 75 years of India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have been a sad story of oppression against the Kashmiri people.
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Along these lines, Bilawal reiterated, “In IIOJK, India has imposed a reign of terror. It has prevented the oppressed people from exercising their unalienable right to self-determination and leading dignified lives.”
“India is engineering demographic and political changes in IIOJK to convert Kashmiris into a disempowered minority in their own land.” He highlighted.
The Foreign Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to playing its share in assisting Kashmiris in exercising their right to self-determination. This will happen through a fair and impartial referendum in compliance with the decisions of the UN Security Council.
Along these lines, he concluded, “Our strong and steadfast moral, political and diplomatic support is for the Kashmiri people.”
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