Pakistan Embassy in France Observes Kashmir Black Day in Solidarity

France – (Choudhry Mudassir) – The Pakistan Embassy in France held a special event to mark Kashmir Black Day. The gathering showed support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Messages from the President, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Pakistan were read out at the event. Each message stressed that Pakistan stands firmly with the Kashmiri people.

Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch spoke about the history of the Kashmir dispute. She said India has occupied the region illegally and has long pressed down on its people.

She said lasting peace in South Asia depends on solving the Kashmir issue peacefully. In her view, this must follow United Nations Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The Ambassador added that Kashmiris have looked to the world for generations. They hope the global community, especially the United Nations, will hold India responsible for its actions.

She said the situation has grown worse since 5 August 2019. According to her, India’s unilateral steps have pushed Kashmiris further away. She said they remain united against any move to change the makeup of the population in the region.

She also said the Kashmir case rests on strong political, legal and moral grounds. Pakistan, she added, will keep giving political, diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris until their just cause is achieved.

Several guest speakers also took the stage. They condemned what they called serious human rights violations by Indian forces against Kashmiri men, women and children.

The speakers urged the world community and the media to raise their voice. They asked them to show the hardships of Kashmiris and to demand accountability for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Members of the Pakistani diaspora, scholars, journalists and other guests attended the event. Together, they highlighted the Kashmiri people’s struggle of more than seven decades for their right to self-determination under UN Security Council resolutions.