Islamabad, 5 February 2024 (TDI): Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed throughout Pakistan. The day marks the support and solidarity of Pakistan and its people with the people of Kashmir for their struggle of right to self-determination.
In Particular, the observance includes various activities such as rallies, seminars, events, exhibitions. The main objective of the observance is to raise awareness about the Kashmir issue, condemn human rights violation of the region.
Most importantly, it calls for the implementation of United Nations resolutions that recognize the right to self-determination for the people of Kashmir.
Furthermore, the Pakistani Embassies across the globe use Kashmir Solidarity Day to advocate the Kashmir cause. It highlights the firm resolve of Pakistan and its sincerity for Kashmir and its people.
Solidarity walk by Foreign Office Pakistan
A walk was held at Constitution Avenue today in Islamabad on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day. Officials from the Foreign ministry of Pakistan, led by the Foreign Secretary, Muhammad Syrus Qazi participated in large numbers.
The walk highlighted the foreign policy goals of Pakistan towards Kashmir cause and expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people. The foreign office said that Pakistan will continue to provide political, diplomatic, and moral support to its Kashmiri brothers and sisters.
Moreover, Pakistan calls for the realization of the just right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people as enshrined in the Charter of United Nations and as guaranteed in the relevant UN Security Council and resolutions of Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Statement from President Alvi
The President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, in a statement for the Kashmir Solidarity Day highlighted the struggle of Kashmiri people in their just cause of right to self-determination.
The people of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have been struggling to realise their right to self-determination for the last seventy-six years.
On this Kashmir Solidarity Day, the Government and people of Pakistan renew their unflinching support for their just and legitimate struggle. In fact the right to self-determination is a cardinal principle of international law.
The UN General Assembly annually adopts a resolution expressing unequivocal support for the realization of the right to self-determination for people under foreign occupation.
However, the Kashmiri people have not been able to exercise this inalienable right. In fact today, IIOJK is one of the most militarized zones in the world. Consequently, Kashmiris are living in an environment of fear and intimidation.
Meanwhile the Indian occupation forces are engaged in indiscriminate use of force against civilians. Also, the political activists and human rights defenders face arbitrary detention and confiscation of properties.
Pakistan will continue to lend unstinted moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people till the realization of their right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Statement from Prime Minister Kakar
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar expressed Pakistan’s unwavering support to the Kashmiri struggle for realization of their right to self-determination in his statement for Kashmir Solidarity Day.
The relevant UN Security Council Resolutions provide that the final disposition of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.
However, over the last seventy-six years, India has carried out a relentless campaign to intimidate and suppress the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
In fact the iron-fisted Indian approach frequently manifests itself in extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions and custodial torture. Also, India has muzzled the media and incarcerated the Kashmiri leadership and human rights defenders.
Also Read: Rights to Self-Determination Day observed in Kashmir
Specifically, these excesses have been well-documented by several human rights organizations and international media outlets.
Subsequently, India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 in IIOJK were a blatant violation of international law including the UN Charter, Fourth Geneva Convention, and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Lastly, he reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to extend its unstinted moral, diplomatic and political support for this just cause.
Foreign Minister’s Letter to UN and OIC
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Jalil Abbas Jilani, has addressed letters to the Presidents of the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly, the United Nations Secretary General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the OIC Secretary General.
In Particular, the letters were addressed to update them on the latest developments in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
In these letters, the Foreign Minister has emphasized the need to implement the relevant Security Council resolutions so that the people of Jammu and Kashmir could determine their future through a fair and impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices.
The Foreign Minister has also urged the leadership of United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to play their role in improving the human rights situation in IIOJK and for release of Kashmiri political prisoners and dissenters.
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