Islamabad(Mudassar Iqbal);India’s Kashmir Actions Condemned by Pakistan Leadership on Youm-e-Istehsal, Marking the fifth anniversary of the revocation of Article 370. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s continued support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. They criticized India’s actions as a disregard for international law and UN Security Council resolutions.
India’s Kashmir Moves Violate UN Resolutions, International Law: Zardari
President Asif Ali Zardari said India’s actions since 5 August 2019 demonstrated complete disregard for international law, the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, and the UN Security Council resolutions regarding Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
In a message on Youm-e-Istehsal on 5th August 2024, he said, “Today marks the completion of five years of India’s latest campaign to consolidate its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. On this day, five years ago, India took a number of unilateral and unlawful steps in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to undermine its internationally recognised disputed status. ”
Since 5 August 2019, he said India has embarked upon a ceaseless campaign to alter the demographic structure and political landscape of IIOJK.
Issuing domicile certificates to outsiders, registering temporary residents in the voters’ lists, gerrymandering assembly constituencies, and modifying land and property ownership laws are some of the key features of this campaign. All these measures are in blatant violation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions and international law, including the 4th Geneva Convention, he observed.
“The continued presence of hundreds of thousands of Indian troops has turned IIOJK into one of the most heavily militarized zones in the world. The gross human rights violations in IIOJK have been documented extensively and condemned globally. The mistreatment of Kashmiri journalists and human rights defenders has further revealed India’s willingness to go to any lengths to silence dissenting voices. India would not succeed in suppressing the just struggle of the people of IIOJK through domestic legislation and judicial verdicts, ” he added.
India’s August 5 Move a “Blatant Injustice”, Minister Kashmir Affairs
For the past seven decades, the President said the Kashmiris had waited for the United Nations to fulfil its solemn commitments. “It is crucial that the international community urges India to end its human rights violations in IIOJK and implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”
“Pakistan, for its part, will continue to extend full moral, diplomatic and political support to the just struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions,” he added.
Pakistan to Continue Support for Kashmiris’ Right to Self-Determination: PM
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan will continue to extend its strong moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people till the realization of their inalienable right to self determination.
In a message on Youm-e-Istehsal on August 5, 2024, he said the people and Government of Pakistan are observing the Youm-e Istehsal today.
“This somber occasion reminds us of the grave consequences of India’s illegal actions of 5 August 2019 vis-à-vis Indian Ilegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).”
On 5 August 2019, he said India took a series of steps to consolidate its occupation of lIOJK.
“Ever since, India has been trying to convince the world that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of its territory. However, international law, historical facts, moral principles and the situation on the ground deny India’s baseless claims.
Today, in IIOJK, efforts are being made to silence the genuine leadership of the Kashmiri people and muzzle the media. The number of political prisoners remains in the thousands, while 14 political organizations have been outlawed.
Harassment of innocent people, arbitrary detentions, and the so-called ‘cordon and search operations have become a matter of routine. The Indian forces are operating with impunity, according to them under different draconian laws,” he added.
He said, “I, however, salute the indomitable courage of the Kashmiri people that has enabled them to withstand every Indian attempt to subjugate them. There is no doubt that India’s coercive methods have failed to diminish their yearning for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination.”
“History has proven, time and again, that durable peace in South Asia remains contingent upon the settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. In the interest of lasting peace and security in South Asia, India must move from dispute denial to dispute resolution,” he added.
The prime minister said, “The international community must urge India to halt its egregious human rights violations in IIOJK; reverse its unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August 2019; repeal the draconian laws; and implement the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.”
Kashmir Dispute Resolution Essential for Regional Peace: NA Speaker
Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Sunday said that the resolution of the Kashmir dispute is essential for achieving lasting peace in the region.
He reiterated the need to resolve this long-standing dispute in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations and as per the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled stance to support the Kashmiri people in their rightful struggle for freedom and self-determination.
The Speaker expressed these views on the eve of Yaum-e-Istehsal Kashmir, which is observed on the 5th August every year.
The speaker strongly condemned the illegal annexation of Indian-Occupied Kashmir and stated, “The Indian government abrogated Article 370 and 35-A of its constitution, stripping Kashmir of its special status and imposing a military siege on the territory”, he said.
While lauding the resilience of the Kashmiri people he stated, “their struggle for freedom and self-determination is a beacon of hope for the entire region”.refine head lines plz and story plz
