ISLAMABAD, 05 AUG (DNA) — President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed unwavering solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir and paid tribute to their courage, resilience and commitment to their just struggle for the realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination. Today marks seven years since India revoked the special constitutional status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had scrapped Article 370 and split the disputed region into two federally administered union territories. “Seven years have passed since India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, which sought to alter the internationally recognised disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir in violation of international law and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions,” the president said in a message.
He said these actions could not change the legal status of the dispute, nor could they weaken the resolve of the Kashmiri people. For seven years, President Zardari said millions of Kashmiris had continued to live under severe restrictions that had affected every aspect of daily life. “Families have endured uncertainty, young people have seen their opportunities constrained and entire communities have continued to bear the burden of prolonged conflict and instability.
Despite these hardships, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice and their legitimate right to determine their own future.” President Zardari said Pakistan remained unwavering in its moral, political and diplomatic support for the people of IIOJK. “We will continue to raise our voice at every international forum until the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.”
He highlighted that a just and lasting peace in South Asia was closely linked to the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. “I urge the international community, particularly the United Nations, to play its role in addressing the grave human rights situation in IIOJK and in advancing a just and peaceful settlement of this longstanding dispute.”
“To my Kashmiri brothers and sisters, I say: Pakistan stands firmly with you. Your courage in the face of adversity inspires us. You are not alone. The people of Pakistan will continue to stand by you until your legitimate right to self-determination is realised,” the president said and prayed to Allah Almighty to grant the people of Jammu and Kashmir strength, patience and steadfastness, and bless them with justice and lasting peace.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that peaceful and just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remained a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and Pakistan would continue to extend its diplomatic, political and moral support and raise the voice of the Kashmiri people at every regional and international forum.
He said Pakistan called upon the international community to urge India to end its human rights violations in IIOJK, reverse its illegal and unilateral measures introduced since August 2019, repeal the draconian laws imposed upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir and create conducive environment to enable the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, through the exercise of the right to self-determination by the Kashmiri people in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. — DNA
