ISLAMABAD, OCT 27 /DNA/ – On the 77th anniversary of the arrival of Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir, the Government and people of Pakistan reiterate their unwavering solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

In their messages on this solemn occasion, the President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan have reaffirmed the nation’s steadfast moral, political, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.

The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister has addressed letters to the leadership of the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), highlighting the ongoing situation in Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He has called for the full implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and urged international action to address human rights concerns, including the release of Kashmiri political prisoners and dissenters.

Additionally, the Foreign Secretary has briefed Islamabad-based diplomatic missions on the multifaceted legal, security, and human rights dimensions of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to seeking a just resolution.

In a display of solidarity, a ‘Solidarity Walk’ took place in Islamabad this morning along Constitution Avenue to D-Chowk, led by the Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Engineer Amir Muqam, and Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal.

Across Pakistan, a series of events, including public rallies, seminars, and photo exhibitions, are being organized to honor the Kashmiris’ struggle. Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora communities are actively participating, and Pakistan’s diplomatic missions worldwide are hosting special events to raise global awareness about the Jammu and Kashmir dispute

ISLAMABAD, OCT 27 /DNA/ – Serena Hotels, hosted a Mushaira “Mehfil-e-Sukhan” event, bringing together some of Pakistan’s most esteemed poets. The gathering celebrated under Serena Hotels’ Cultural Diplomacy Initiative was a tribute to the richness of Urdu poetry and to the power of words.

The gathering featured wonderful well-known poets, including Anwar Masood, Kishwar Naheed, Iftikhar Arif, Anwar Shaoor, Yasmin Hameed, Javed Saba, Akhtar Usman, Ahmad Ataullah, Zahoor Ahmed, Hamida Shaheen, Umair Najmi, and Farjad Mahdi. Each poet shared captivating verses that captivated the audience. The poetry shared highlighted how poetry continues to bring people together across different cultures.

This Mushaira was more than a recital; it was a celebration of language, tradition, and the timeless art of verse. Serena Hotels not only promote events like “Mehfil-e-Sukhan” but also actively supports renowned literary gatherings such as the Lahore and Quetta Literary Festivals, strengthening its mission to promote the Urdu language and cultural heritage across Pakistan. Through these initiatives, Serena continues to bring poetic voices together, appreciating the beauty and depth of Urdu poetry.

DNA

LAHORE: APNS expresses grave concern over the stoppage of tender advertisements in newspapers  by Punjab Government vide amend ment in the procurement (PPRA) rules. The APNS has strongly rejected the amendment being disastrous for the already crisis ridden newspapers in Punjab as it would result in the closure and strangulate all medium and regional newspapers accross the province.

The Punjab Committee of the APNS at its meeting held under the chairmanship of Mr Jamil Athar has urged upon Ms Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab to immediately intervene in the matter and withdraw the amendment to save newspaper industry from closure and unemployment of thousands of jounalists and newspaper workers.

The APNS committee noted that the amendment would not only badly impact on the economies of newspapers but would also negate the transparency in the procurement process. The members were briefed that despite assurances by the Information Minister Ms Azma Bukhari the amendment has not yet been withdrawn hence the newspapers are facing acute financial crisis.

The members decided to  form a joint action committee of media organisations including CPNE and PFUJ. The committee also decided to take  legal recourse and actions and protests on all available forums if the amendment not withdrawn by the Punjab Govt.

The meeting was attended by Chairman Mr Jamil Athar, Irfan Ashraf ( Jang),  Imran Raza ( Dawn), Mohammad Farooq (Pakistan), Sheikh Furqan ( Khabrain), SafdarAli Khan (Sarzameen), Awais Razi ( Taqat), Mohsin Mumtaz ( Aftab), Imran Athar Kazi( Tijarat) and Irfan Athar Kazi ( Jurrat).=DNA

ISLAMABAD, OCT 27 /DNA/ – Kashmiris on both sides of LoC observe Black Day to condemn Indian invasion of region on Oct 27, 1947. As Kashmir marks the ‘Black Day’ in condemnation of India’s illegal occupation of the region, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in separate messages, expressed solidarity with the Kashmiris, pledging unwavering support until the achievement of their inalienable right to self-determination. 

President Zardari said that Pakistan would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its Kashmiri brothers and sisters until the final resolution of the Kashmir dispute and freedom of Kashmir.

The president urged the international community to pressurise India to halt its human rights abuses in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), alleviate the suffering of Kashmiris and implement UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

He also condemned India’s ongoing atrocities in the illegally occupied territory and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering moral, diplomatic and political support for the Kashmiri people’s just cause.

In his message on the occasion, PM Shehbaz Sharif,  said that the people of IIOJK have suffered countless hardships during the last 77 years of occupation.

He said India had been taking successive steps to tighten its grip over IIOJK since August 5, 2019, when New Delhi abolished the special status of the disputed region.

“India’s nefarious designs are aimed at undermining the disputed status of IIOJK and denying the Kashmiri people their democratic right to decide their own future,” he said.

The PM promised that Pakistanis will continue to extend full moral, diplomatic and political support for Kashmiris. 

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON Engineer Amir Muqam also reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to continue extending political, diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris.

In his message on the occasion of Kashmir Black Day, he said India was committing worst human rights violations in IIOJK and trying to stop the struggle of Kashmiris through military atrocities.

The minister said the entire Pakistani nation paid tribute to the brave and courageous Kashmiris who were continuing their struggle despite India’s brutal actions.

Kashmiris observing Black Day today

Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and all over the world are observing Black Day to send a message of rejecting India’s illegal occupation of their homeland.

It was on October 27, 1947, that Indian troops invaded Jammu and Kashmir in blatant violation of the partition plan and occupied region against the will of the Kashmiri people.

The day is being marked by a complete shutdown in IIOJK.

Protest marches, rallies and seminars will be held in Pakistan and across the globe.

In Azad Kashmir, protest marches, rallies and seminars will also be held at all the districts and tehsil headquarters to condemn the Indian Army’s invasion on October 27, 1947, and the revocation of the special status of IIOJK by the BJP-led Hindutva government of India.

In the state capital Muzaffarabad, Kashmir Liberation Commission has arranged a protest demonstration followed by a rally.

Similarly, Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmiri Refugees, other Hurriyat organisations and political and religious parties have arranged anti-India rallies and seminars to observe the Black Day.

President AJK Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry and Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq have appealed Kashmiris all over the world to register their protest against India.

ISLAMABAD, Oct 27 (APP): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on the directives of the Prime Minister, continued to provide humanitarian aid to the war-affected people of Gaza and Lebanon.

On Sunday, the 14th consignment of aid was dispatched from Karachi to Lebanon. This aid shipment, sent by NDMA in collaboration with Al-Khidmat Foundation, comprised approximately 17 tons of supplies, including tents, food tins, dry milk , clothes  and hygiene kits, a news release said.  

The aid was dispatched via flight from Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, to Beirut, Lebanon.
The send off ceremony held at Jinnah International Airport was attended by Federal Minister for Maritimes Affair Qaisar Shah and the representatives from NDMA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Al-Khidmat Foundation.

The Minister emphasized the urgent need to provide relief to the war-affected populations of Palestine and Lebanon, considering the ongoing conflict and the needs of the affected communities. He reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the brothers and sisters in distress and stressed the importance of collaboration by welfare organizations and the Pakistani public in strengthening these efforts.

Prior to this, Government of Pakistan has sent 11 aid consignments to Gaza, Palestine, and this marked the third shipment to Lebanon, with a total volume of 1,398 tons. The Government of Pakistan continues to send relief supplies based on the needs of the war-affected populations of Lebanon and Palestine. On instructions of Prime Minister, a special account named the “Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for Gaza and Lebanon,” for collection of donations from the public to aid their brothers and sisters in Gaza and Lebanon who are facing war emergencies.

Mahnoor Ansar

ISLAMABAD: “Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project is crucial for South Asian energy security and the regional attempts of diversification”, said Muhammad Soroush, a prominent Tehran-based analyst at a seminar organized by the Institute of Regional Studies on the Iran Pakistan gas pipeline.

Earlier, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President IRS, noted in his opening remarks that both Pakistan and Iran had much potential for furthering economic cooperation given their economic size and shared borders. While energy pipelines were much cheaper than shipping, and utilizing gas as a source of energy was significantly less polluting  than oil, the US sanctions on Iran posed a serious challenge.

Muhammad Soroush, who also heads “Saramad” think tank based in Tehran, hailed IP gas pipeline as a game changer for the region. Noting  that Iran had completed the construction of pipeline on its side but due to financial constraints, Pakistan was unable to start working on its part, Soroush felt  that this energy project could make Iran a crucial player in South Asian energy landscape.

Naade Ali, a Washington-based researcher at Middle East Institute, opined that the US viewed energy cooperation between Pakistan and Iran as a prelude to a strategic partnership. To address this perception Pakistan needed to separate geoeconomics from geopolitics. Explaining US sanctions relief to India, Naade pointed out India’s assurances to the US that its presence in the Chahbahar port would keep Iranian activities in check.

Dr Khalid Waleed, anprominent energy expert at SDPI, addressed the issue of a non-productive energy sector. He felt that the energy policy of Pakistan must prioritize the industrial growth while noting that energy shipping lanes were prone to shocks arising from the geopolitical conflicts and therefore, pipelines were a viable alternative. He also suggested that China’s coal-fired power plant projects under CPEC could be transformed into Iran-Pakistan-China gas energy project.

Dr Somaye Morovati, Director South Asian Studies at Center for Middle East Strategic Studies in Tehran, stressed upon the need for cooperation between the think tanks of both the countries. She argued that the researchers of both Pakistan and Iran had a very basic knowledge of each other’s governance system. She also emphasised cooperation between Pakistan and Iran in energy and economic corridors as a counterweight to US Indo Pacific Strategy which while aimed at containing China also impacted Pakistan and Iran.

MOSCOW, OCT 27: /DNA/ – A special event was held today at the Embassy of Pakistan in Russia to commemorate Kashmir Black Day, marking the 27th October as a day to remember the Indian occupation of the Kashmir Valley.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Muhammad Khalid Jamali, along with members of the Pakistani community in Russia and Embassy officials, participated in the event.

Messages from the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out by H.E. Ambassador and Second Secretary Mr. Muhammad Tayyab respectively.

In his remarks, Ambassador Jamali paid tribute to Kashmiri leaders, specifically mentioning Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a prominent Kashmiri politician, who devoted his life to fighting for the right of Kashmiris to decide their own future. The Ambassador further noted that it is a diplomatic success for Pakistan that the issue of Kashmir remains on the agenda at various international platforms. He reiterated Pakistan’s firm determination to continue providing diplomatic, political, and moral support for the people of Kashmir.

A documentary highlighting the Kashmiri people’s resistance to Indian occupation in Jammu and Kashmir was screened. Additionally, a photographic exhibition showcasing the atrocities committed by Indian occupation forces and the ongoing freedom struggle in the Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir was organized.

ISLAMABAD, Oct 26 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari has called upon the international community to exert pressure on India to halt its ongoing human rights abuses in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), alleviate the suffering of Kashmiris, and implement UN Security Council resolutions.

“Pakistan will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its Kashmiri brothers and sisters until they achieve their inalienable right to self-determination,” the president said in a message on the occasion of “Kashmir Black Day”, 27 October 2024.

The president said October 27, 1947, marked a dark chapter in South Asian history when India sent troops to occupy Jammu and Kashmir. For decades, the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have endured brutal repression by Indian forces.

Over the years, he said India had transformed IIOJK into one of the most militarised regions in the world. Thousands of innocent Kashmiris have been killed, while their legitimate leaders remain imprisoned, and local media is heavily censored.

Furthermore, the president emphasized that the United Nations Security Council had repeatedly affirmed the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination through a fair and impartial plebiscite.

Yet, he said India continued to defy these resolutions and deny Kashmiris their fundamental rights. “Since August 5, 2019, India has further escalated its occupation by stripping IIOJK of its special status and implementing measures to alter its demographic and political landscape. These actions are part of a broader strategy to consolidate control and suppress the Kashmiri Freedom Movement.”

He said despite these oppressive tactics, the resilient people of Kashmir remained steadfast in their struggle for freedom. “We strongly condemn India’s ongoing atrocities and reaffirm our unwavering moral, diplomatic, and political support for the Kashmiri people’s just cause”, he added.

President Zardari pointed out that the recent developments in the Middle East were a stark reminder that long-standing disputes should not be allowed to fester. Violating international law and pushing disputes under the rug does not guarantee lasting peace, he said.

“Three generations of Kashmiris have waited for the world, especially the United Nations, to deliver them their right to self-determination. The world can no longer ignore its responsibility,” the president added.