Pakistan to continue moral, political, diplomatic support to Kashmiris: PM

‘Kashmiris on both sides of LoC will observe Youm-e-Istehsal

ISLAMABAD, Aug 4 (APP): Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), in Pakistan and all over the world will observe Youm-e-Istehsal, today, to register their protest against Narendra Modi-led Hindutva Indian government’s illegal action taken on that day in 2019.

President Dr Arif Alvi has resolved that Pakistan would continue to be the voice of its Kashmiri brothers and sisters, who had been making invaluable sacrifices and would extend all possible support for the fullest realization of their legitimate rights.

“We have no doubt that durable peace and stability in South Asia can only be achieved through a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people,” the president said in his message on Youm-e-Istehsal annually observed on August 5.

He said that India unleashed its illegal and unilateral actions on August 5, 2019, in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) with the aim of disempowering, disenfranchising, and dispossessing the Kashmiri people in their own land.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan will continue to lend its unstinted moral, political and diplomatic support to the rightful and just cause of the freedom struggle of the Kashmiri people.

In a message on the Youm-e-Istehsal to be observed on August 5, 2023, he said, “It is Pakistan’s abiding commitment and promise to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters that we will echo their voices, at every forum until the world takes action and urges India to end its egregious human rights violations and forcible occupation of IIOJK, undo all unilateral and illegal measures it has taken since 5 August 2019 and take necessary steps to carry out a fair and impartial plebiscite in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.”

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday said Pakistan would continue to highlight the unchecked Indian atrocities in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) at every world forum.

The ideological and emotional attachment of the Kashmiri people to Pakistan was an open secret to the world, he said in his message on the eve of Kashmir Exploitation Day (Youm-e-Istehsal).

The foreign minister said the unilateral and illegal action taken by the Modi government on August 5, 2019 (to change the IIOJK’s special status) was India’s last tactic against the occupied Valley, which also failed.

India, he added, had been exposed to the world in a very bad way when she changed the special status of IIOJK. In every nook and cranny of the world, the people were protesting against Indian atrocities, which was a victory of Kashmiris.

He appreciated the protest demonstrations and events by the Muslim Ummah as well as rights organizations and individuals around the world in connection with the Kashmir Exploitation Day.

“India cannot keep occupied Kashmir in the chains of its oppression and brutality for a long time,” he added.

Bilawal Bhutto, who is also Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party, said in the so-called “biggest democracy of the world”, every government and every political party had always been on the same page on the agenda of atrocities and exploitation of IIOJK, and despite that, they had failed to suppress and weaken the struggle of the people of Occupied Kashmir for their right to self-determination.

Advisor to Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira briefed the prime minister about the planned activities for Yaum-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir to be observed on August 5, including seminars and awareness drives, particularly the ceremonies scheduled to be held at Pakistan’s diplomatic missions across the world.

Ahead of ‘Youm-e-Istehsal’ on August 5, Foreign Secretary Dr Asad Majeed Friday here briefed the Islamabad-based diplomatic missions on the latest developments in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

According to Foreign Office, he highlighted the legal, security and human rights dimensions of the situation in IIOJK.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi on Friday informed the National Assembly that Pakistan has always forcefully raised the plight of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) at all world forums.

Replying to a question during Question Hour, he said all the political parties of the country have a united stance on the Kashmir dispute.

China on Friday reiterated its clear and consistent position on the Kashmir issue ahead of “Yaum-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir”, and called for proper and peaceful resolution of the longstanding issue under the United Nations (UN) Charter, UN Security Council’s resolutions and bilateral agreements.

“China’s position on the Kashmir issue is consistent and clear. This issue is a dispute left over from history between India and Pakistan and should be resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council’s resolutions and bilateral agreements in a properly and peaceful manner,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said ahead of the fourth anniversary of India’s unilateral and illegal act in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.

People of Khanewal would express solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren on Saturday, Aug 5, by joining different programmes including seminars and rallies as part of the observance of Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir.

People from different walks of life including traders, journalists, writers, teachers, students, religious leaders and social workers would attend the main ceremony at district headquarters, Zila Council Hall. DPO Rana Omar Farooq and ADCR Azooba Azeem would join the ceremony as special guests.

Earlier,

Ahead of Yaum-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, a song titled “Jails of Kashmir” was released by Turkish Song Writer and Author Turgay Evren in a launch ceremony Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim Universitesi on Friday.

The song was launched in the presence of Hurriyat leaders from Pakistan and the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami.

The event was presided over by All Parties Hurriyat Conference convener Mahmood Ahmed Sagar and in this anthem the arrests of Kashmiri leaders Yasin Malik, Shabbir Shah, Asiya Andrabi, Masarrat Alam Bhat, Zafar Akbar Bhat, Dr Abdul Hameed Fayyaz, Naeem Ahmed Khan and other Hurriyat leaders has been mentioned.

Prof Sami Al-Arian, Abdur Rasheed Turabi, former member of the Legislative Assembly, Mahmood Ahmed Sagar, Convener of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Dr Mubeen Shah, Faheem Kayani, President of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK and Turgay Evren expressed that Kashmir Azadi Movement should be in tune with the modern demands of the time.

On the other hand, Adviser to Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira briefed the premier about the planned activities for Yaum-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir to be observed on August 5.

The briefing was given when Kaira called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday at his office in Islamabad.

He briefed the PM about the planned activities, including seminars and awareness drives, particularly the ceremonies scheduled to be held at Pakistan’s diplomatic missions across the world.