India's illegal occupation suppresses Kashmiri aspirations: PM Imran

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that India's illegal occupation was meant to suppress the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people to freely determine their future.

The premier’s remarks came in a message on 27 October which Pakistan and millions of Kashmiris observe as a 'Black Day' to “condemn the beginning of the illegal occupation of parts of the State of Jammu and Kashmir by India”.

The prime minister added that the day commemorates the countless sacrifices Kashmiris have made and continue to make as they resist the inhuman occupation and subjugation by India against their will.

“Even after seven decades of brutal rule by Indian Occupation Forces, the will of the Kashmiris remains strong. We salute Kashmiri men, women, and children for their resolve, courage, and determination,” PM Imran said, adding that Kashmiris are an inspiration for all freedom-loving people across the world.

He stated that the “long outstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute” has been on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) since January 1948 and is an internationally recognised dispute as affirmed by numerous UNSC resolutions.

The premier noted that India had accepted UNSC resolutions, and made solemn commitments to the Security Council, Pakistan, other states, and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, yet the Indian unilateral action of August 5, 2019, showed their “sheer disregard for international law, global community, aspirations of Kashmiri People let alone the UNSC Resolutions”.

“Unfortunately, today’s India is ruled by the RSS ideology whose extremist worldview has no place for Muslims or other minorities,” PM Imran said, adding that this led to the ruling BJP to resort to more brutal ways for suppression of Kashmiri voices being raised to attain their right of self-determination.

Read ‘Black Day’ to be observed on October 27

“It has been 815 days since India imposed military siege, media blackout, and other restrictions along with unilateral and illegal action of 5 August 2019. The human suffering in the shape of extra-judicial killings in fake encounters, rape, and other gross violations of human rights is unspeakable,” he maintained.

According to Imran, the introduction of Domicile Laws by the Indian government to change the demography of the valley reflected the Indian intention to change the ground realities regarding this internationally recognized dispute.

“Pakistan in the past two years have firmly opposed such Indian actions and unequivocally supported the rights of oppressed Kashmiris. Pakistan has raised the Jammu & Kashmir issue at every forum, including the UN, Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and bilaterally with important world leaders and capitals,” he stated.

PM Imran mentioned that it was ‘significant’ that for the first time in 55 years, that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute has been deliberated upon by the UN Security Council.

He further maintained that the UNSC has thrice taken up the dispute thereby debunking the false Indian claims that it is an "internal" matter of India.

“Today, there is increased scrutiny and censure of India by the international community including the UN and other human rights bodies. But, it is not enough. The dossier on India's human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that Pakistan unveiled last month should be an eye-opener for the world. It has irrefutable evidence of India's rogue behavior,” PM Imran said.

Read more Pindi teachers announce observance of ‘black day’

According to him, the UNSC has the responsibility to take steps to ensure the implementation of its resolutions, enabling the people of Jammu and Kashmir to realize their right to self-determination.

“A just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, is indispensable for durable peace and stability in South Asia.”

The premier reassured his “Kashmiri brothers and sisters” that Pakistan will continue to provide all “possible support and stand shoulder to shoulder with them,” until the realization of their legitimate and inalienable right to self-determination.

Imran further urged the international community to play their role in “pressing India to stop forthwith its human rights violations in IIOJK”, and let Kashmiris decide their own future in accordance with UNSC Resolutions.

Pakistan will mark October 27 as the 'Black Day' to express solidarity with the oppressed people of IIOJK and highlight their decades-long miseries at the hands of the Indian security forces.

A number of activities including rallies and different events have been planned for the day to shake the conscience of the international community, especially the United Nations urging it to play its due role in providing Kashmiris their legitimate right to self-determination.

Banners, inscribed with the Black Day messages and pictures of prominent Kashmiri leaders, have been placed on key junctions and roads of the federal capital to exhibit unity with the people of Kashmir.