New York (TDI): Distinguished speakers at a well-attended event marking Kashmir Solidarity Day reaffirmed their unwavering support for Kashmiris in their struggle to exercise their UN-pledged right to self-determination, aiming to pave the way for peace and stability in the region.
They also strongly advocated for resolving the longstanding dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of Kashmiri people.
The event, hosted jointly by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN and the Consulate General of Pakistan in New York, brought together members of the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir, academics, journalists, students, the Kashmiri diaspora and members of the Pakistani community.
Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, attended as the keynote speaker.
Others speakers included Zafar Iqbal Malik, Minister of Higher Education, Azad Kashmir; Ambassador Ahmet Yildiz, Permanent Representative of Turkiye to the UN, Ambassador Tofig Musayev, Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the UN; Ambassador Hameed Ajibaiye Opeloyeru, Permanent Observer of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; Mohammed Abdulaziz Alateek, Deputy Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia and others.
In his remarks, Ambassador Akram thanked the members of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir for their steadfast support to Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
He said that the UN resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir are valid and no national legislation by India could alter the international character of the Kashmir dispute.
He said that the UN resolutions could be only changed in two ways: either they are implemented or the UNSC amends them, arguing that there was no other way in their legal status.
Referring to the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to IIOJK, he said that the Indian actions were null and void.
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Ambassador Akram stressed that under Article 25 of the UN Charter, New Delhi was obliged to implement the UNSC resolutions.
He said that following India’s illegal actions of August 5, 2019, the issue of IIOJK was raised in the UNSC three times.
He said that the task before Pakistani diplomats was to make the global community aware of the threats to regional peace and security in the absence of just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
In his remarks, Ambassador Ahmet Yildiz, Permanent Representative of Turkiye to the UN, conveyed his nation’s support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination in line with the UNSC resolutions.
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He also thanked the government and the people of Pakistan for supporting Turkiye during its difficult times.
“We have closely followed with great concern the hardships,” said the Turkish envoy, emphasizing his opposition to the unilateral measures taken by India in IIOJK, including demographic and other administrative and legal changes there.
He stated that the annulment of Article 370 had complicated the situation,
The relevant UNSC resolutions provided the framework for just resolution of the Kashmir dispute, he added.
Azerbaijan’s Envoy Stresses UN-led Resolution for Kashmir Dispute
Reiterating his country’s support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, Ambassador Tofig Musayev, Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the UN, underlined the need for the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the global norms and UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.
He said that continuous efforts are required for the establishment of sustainable peace in South Asia, adding that the OIC was actively engaged in matters of peace and security.
Ambassador Hameed Ajibaiye Opeloyeru, Permanent Observer of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, renewed OIC’s unwavering support for the Kashmir cause.
He demanded that all illegal actions initiated on August 5, 2019, which sought to change the demographic structure of IIOJK, should be revoked.
Mohammed Abdulaziz Alateek, Deputy Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia, underlined the need for constructive dialogue and engagement for peaceful resolution of disputes.
He stated that upholding and respecting the aspirations of Kashmiris was important in this regard.
