PM Shehbaz Sharif calls on India for 'meaningful' Kashmir talks

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called on India to initiate meaningful negotiations aimed at resolving the long-standing Kashmir dispute.

In his address to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed Pakistan's continued solidarity with the Kashmiri people, who have long faced challenges in their pursuit of freedom.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to supporting the people of Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination.

Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan would not stand by passively as Kashmiris continue to endure Indian oppression. He condemned India’s actions, including extrajudicial killings, the incarceration of Kashmiri leaders, and the illegal demographic changes imposed upon the region.

He reminded that Pakistan, under the leadership of its founder Quaid-e-Azam, has always considered Kashmir to be the "jugular vein" of the country.

"Pakistan will never remain silent while the Kashmiris are subjected to such atrocities," he stated firmly. He warned India to end the implementation of black laws that perpetuate violence and suppress the Kashmiris' legitimate right to self-determination.

The Prime Minister also urged the international community, urging global peace-loving nations and organizations to apply pressure on India to allow Kashmiris to determine their own future, as per the United Nations' resolutions.

“We urge India to come to the table and resolve the Kashmir dispute in line with the wishes of the Kashmiri people and international law,” he added, further stressing that Pakistan’s quest for peace should never be mistaken for weakness, citing the country’s nuclear capabilities as a strong deterrent.

"Pakistan will continue to offer unwavering support for Kashmir’s right to self-determination, and we will remain committed to the development of IIOJK as an integral part of our future," Sharif concluded.

Pakistan is observing Kashmir Solidarity Day on Wednesday to reaffirm its commitment to the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination as outlined in United Nations resolutions.

The day, marked by a public holiday every year on February 5, saw solidarity walks and human chains formed across the country, including in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The government and people of Pakistan stand united with the residents of IIIOJK in their fight for freedom from Indian subjugation. Rallies were held in various cities, with a significant event taking place at Constitution Avenue in Islamabad.

A minute of silence was observed at 10 am to honour Kashmiri martyrs, with sirens sounding across the country.

Special events were also held at Mangla Bridge in Mirpur and in the Kotli and Bhimber districts.

President Asif Ali Zardari, in his message, urged the international community to honour its responsibilities and help the Kashmiris in their struggle. He called on the United Nations to fulfil its promises made 78 years ago regarding the region’s right to self-determination.