Pakistan reaffirms support to Kashmiris

Pakistan’s top leadership on Saturday reiterated its unwavering support for the freedom struggle of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as the country observed Youm-e-Istehsal -- marking four years since New Delhi deprived the disputed territory of its semi-autonomous status.

In his message on Youm-e-Istehsal, the premier tweeted: “Today marks the completion of four years since India deprived Kashmiris of their statehood by unilaterally annexing Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The last four years have represented the culmination of the worst human rights abuses including but not limited to the demographic changes, issuance of fake domiciles, internet shutdown, complete information blackout and imprisonment of Kashmiri leadership of all hues and colours.”

He said India, through these “illegal and immoral measures”, tried to “alter the internationally recognised status of IIOJK and undermine the Kashmiris’ fundamental right to self-determination”.

He extended “unwavering diplomatic, moral and political” support to Kashmiris in their struggled and called upon India to reverse its August 5 actions.

“History bears witness to the fact that brute force has never succeeded in extinguishing the fire of freedom and rights,” the premier added.

In a separate message, President Arif Alvi said Pakistan would continue to be the voice of its Kashmiri brothers and sisters, who have been making invaluable sacrifice, and extend all possible support for the fullest realisation 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 continued.

The military's media wing said on Youm-e-Istehsal, the chairman joint chiefs of staff committee (CJCSC), services chiefs and Pakistan’s Armed Forces expressed solidarity with the brave and resilient people of IIOJK in their just struggle for right to self-determination according to the UN resolutions.

According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, the continuation of inhumane military lockdown in IIOJK, illegal measures to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory and gross and systematic transgressions of human rights were all manifest violations of international law.

“Such actions coupled with [the] Indian government’s belligerent rhetoric and hostile actions continue to perpetuate humanitarian and security crises in IIOJK and pose a perpetual threat to regional security,” the ISPR added.

The statement read that the resolution of the Kashmir dispute according to the UN resolutions and the aspirations of its people was imperative for enduring peace and stability in the region.

“Pakistan’s Armed Forces pay rich tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK for their supreme sacrifices, and affirm full support of [the country] for [the] provision of political, moral and humanitarian support to Kashmiris in their just struggle against tyranny and illegal subjugation,” the military’s media wing continued.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also vowed that Pakistan would continue to highlight unchecked Indian atrocities in IIOJK at every forum of the world.

“The ideological and emotional attachment of the Kashmiri people to Pakistan is an open secret to the world,” he said in his message on Youm-e-Istehsal.

The foreign minister said the unilateral and illegal action taken by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government on August 5, 2019, was New Delhi’s last tactic against the occupied valley and that too failed.

(With input from APP)