Kashmir Solidarity Day Observed Across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) – Today, Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed across Pakistan to pay tribute to the freedom struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and to reaffirm unwavering support for their right to self-determination.

A public holiday has been declared throughout the country. In Muzaffarabad, sirens will be sounded between 9:00 and 10:00 am, followed by one minute of silence to honor the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people. Rallies, seminars, and special events are being organized nationwide to express solidarity with Kashmiris. Human chains will also be formed on routes connecting Azad Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan as a symbol of unity and support.

A special session of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is being held today, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit Muzaffarabad to participate in Kashmir Solidarity Day events.

Messages from the President and Prime Minister

On the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment to continue supporting the Kashmiri people.

In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari said that this day renews Pakistan’s pledge of unwavering solidarity with the people of Kashmir. He stated that Pakistanis across the world are standing with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters. He emphasized that granting the right to self-determination to Kashmiris, in accordance with United Nations resolutions, is essential.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed India’s move to revoke the special status of Indian-occupied Kashmir as illegal and unilateral. He stressed that the Pakistani nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the Kashmiri people in their struggle for the right to self-determination.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the courage, resilience, and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, reaffirming that Pakistan will continue to support their legitimate struggle. He said the Kashmir dispute remains one of the oldest unresolved issues on the United Nations agenda and that India’s rigid stance has deprived Kashmiris of their basic rights.

Pakistan Reaffirms Support for Kashmir, Counters Indian Propaganda

He further stated that Indian-occupied Kashmir has turned into a center of oppression and serious human rights violations. Arbitrary political detentions have become routine, he said, adding that India’s illegal and unilateral actions since August 5, 2019 were aimed at strengthening its forced control over the region.

The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan has consistently advocated the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination at the United Nations and other international forums and will continue to extend full support to their freedom struggle.

Special Message from the Armed Forces

On Kashmir Solidarity Day, Pakistan’s armed forces also expressed unwavering solidarity with the Kashmiri people. According to ISPR, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the chiefs of all services reaffirmed their strong support for the just struggle of the Kashmiri people.

The armed forces strongly condemned grave human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir, declaring extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary arrests as unacceptable.

ISPR stated that serious concern was expressed over India’s attempts to alter the demographic and political identity of occupied Kashmir, emphasizing that a resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with United Nations resolutions is imperative.

The armed forces called upon the international community to take practical steps to ease the suffering of the Kashmiri people. They reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and pledged continued full support for the Kashmiris’ legitimate right to freedom and dignity.