Kashmir Black Day: Zardari, Shehbaz urge world to act on rights in occupied Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have called on the international community, particularly the United Nations and international human rights organisations, to take serious notice of the human rights situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. They urged them to play an effective role in a just, peaceful and lasting solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

Lasting peace and stability in South Asia cannot be established without a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Kashmir Black Day is being observed today, 27 October.

President’s message

In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari said that Indian forces landed in Srinagar on 27 October 1947. This began a long and painful chapter in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the day reaffirms Pakistan’s full support for the long-standing aspirations of the Kashmiri people and their struggle for the right to self-determination.

He said that for the past eight decades the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have been victims of violence, oppression and grave violations of basic rights. Continuing restrictions on fundamental freedoms, a marked increase in the military presence, arrests and reports of human rights violations are a cause for concern.

The president said that after 5 August 2019, India unilaterally tried to change the constitutional and legal status of Jammu and Kashmir, and the situation worsened further. He said Pakistan would continue to extend its unwavering moral, diplomatic and political support to the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Prime minister’s message

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said today recalls the tragic chapter that began 79 years ago when Indian forces entered Srinagar. Since that day, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been denied the right to self-determination recognised in the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.

He said the long imprisonment of Kashmiri political leaders, activists and human rights defenders is a cause for concern. India continues its efforts to suppress the legitimate political expression of the Kashmiri people. The aspirations of the Kashmiri people cannot be suppressed through oppression and tyranny.

The prime minister said the government and the people of Pakistan reaffirm their unwavering solidarity with the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He said they would continue to raise their voice for their legitimate rights at every national and international forum. He prayed that the Kashmiri people would have a future based on lasting peace, dignity and security.