Civil-military leadership reaffirms Kashmir stance

MUZAFFARABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmir cause, declaring that the Kashmiri people's struggle for the right to self-determination would continue until its logical conclusion in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Addressing a special session of the AJK Legislative Assembly on Kashmir Solidarity Day, the prime minister also announced a special development package for the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

He paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, saying history bore witness that Kashmiris could sacrifice their lives and children but would never compromise on their freedom. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and AJK Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore laid a wreath at the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Yadgar-e-Shuhada.

The house also offered Fateha following the prime minister's expression of profound grief over the demise of former AJK president Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry. He recalled the late leader's lifelong dedication to the Kashmir freedom movement and acknowledged the political services of his father, Chaudhry Noor Hussain, among the founding political figures of AJK.

Prime Minister Shehbaz saluted the martyrs of the Kashmir struggle from Burhan Wani to veteran leader Syed Ali Geelani and paid homage to leaders, activists, journalists, women and children, including Asiya Andrabi, Yasin Malik and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. He said the blood of innocent Kashmiris had exposed India's narrative before the world.

He recalled Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's declaration of Kashmir as Pakistan's jugular vein, saying it continued to shape the country's foreign policy. He maintained that durable peace in South Asia was not possible unless India abandoned its hegemonic ambitions and respected the fundamental rights of Kashmiris.

Drawing a parallel between Kashmir and Palestine, the prime minister said granting oppressed peoples the right to live according to their will was a test of the international community's commitment to democracy, justice and international law, adding that Pakistan would continue to play an active role in the peaceful resolution of both issues.

Announcing a comprehensive development package for AJK, the prime minister outlined plans for Danish Schools, a world-class Danish University in Muzaffarabad focusing on modern technology, IT, artificial intelligence and scientific research, enhanced stipends for Kashmiri migrants, merit-based laptop distribution, scholarships under the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund, water supply schemes, hydropower projects, bridge construction and increased funding for universities, including women's higher education institutions.

Concluding his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured continued cooperation with AJK regardless of political changes and urged unity, perseverance and collective resolve to achieve national development goals and advance the Kashmir cause.

Earlier, AJK Prime Minister Rathore thanked the prime minister for visiting AJK for the third time in a short period, calling it a manifestation of his commitment to the Kashmiri people.

He said Pakistan's political leadership had always remained united on Kashmir and praised the country's diplomatic efforts, adding that Indian forces had failed to suppress the Kashmiri spirit despite decades of militarisation.

Rathore also paid tribute to Kashmiri martyrs and Pakistan's armed forces and expressed gratitude for the development initiatives, particularly Danish Schools and education projects, saying they would secure the future of Kashmiri youth.

AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar thanked the prime minister for standing shoulder to shoulder with Kashmiris and prioritising development alongside the freedom struggle.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, opposition leader Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan, PTI AJK President Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan Niazi, Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, Sardar Hassan Ibrahim Khan, cabinet members and legislators attended the session.

Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also visited Muzaffarabad, where he laid a wreath at the Jammu and Kashmir Martyrs Monument and paid tribute to the Shuhada of the freedom movement.

According to ISPR, the COAS acknowledged the martyrs' legacy of valour and selfless sacrifice and reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He said Indian atrocities, continued human rights violations and Hindutva-driven excesses had failed to suppress the legitimate aspirations of Kashmiris.

The COAS emphasised that Pakistan would continue highlighting the Kashmir issue at all relevant international forums until a just resolution is achieved in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

He also visited a forward post, interacted with frontline troops and commended their morale, professionalism and combat readiness, stressing the need for peak operational preparedness and vigilance.

He reiterated that any act of aggression would be met with a swift and befitting response, underscoring that Pakistan's armed forces remain fully prepared to counter both conventional and hybrid threats.