Youm-e-Istehsal: Civil, military leadership reaffirm support for Kashmiris in IIOJK, call for UN-backed resolution

The president says Pakistan will continue to raise its voice 'at every international forum'

The country's civil and military leadership on Wednesday reiterated its support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Youm-e-Istehsal, saying India’s actions on August 5, 2019, to revoke the region’s special autonomy had not altered its disputed status and urging a settlement in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

In a statement, President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan observed Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir to reaffirm its "unwavering solidarity" with the people of IIOJK and to pay tribute to their "courage, resilience and commitment" to what he described as their struggle for self-determination.

He said India's actions of August 5, 2019 "cannot change the legal status of the dispute, nor can they weaken the resolve of the Kashmiri people", adding that millions had spent the past seven years living under severe restrictions affecting every aspect of daily life.

The president said Pakistan would continue to raise its voice "at every international forum" until the dispute was resolved in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and "the aspirations of the Kashmiri people". He also urged the UN and the wider international community to play a greater role in addressing the human rights situation and advancing "a just and peaceful settlement" of the longstanding dispute.

Message by the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir

Today, we observe Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir to reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). We pay tribute to their courage,…

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) August 4, 2026

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, said Pakistan observed the day to remind the world of the "grave consequences" of India's "illegal and unilateral actions" of August 5, 2019, which he said sought to alter the internationally recognised disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir "in flagrant violation of international law and the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council".

He said that seven years later the measures had "neither changed the legal status of IIOJK nor diminished the legitimate aspiration of its people", saying instead that they had "deepened repression, undermined fundamental freedom, and accelerated attempts to alter the demographic composition of the occupied territory".

The prime minister said the continued suppression of Kashmiri political leadership, restrictions on civil liberties and curbs on independent media remained "a matter of serious concern", while praising the "courage, resilience and steadfastness" of the Kashmiri people.

Calling the dispute "the principal unresolved issue affecting peace and stability in South Asia", PM Shehbaz said lasting regional peace could only be achieved through "a peaceful settlement of the dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant UNSC resolutions".

Read More: Hundreds protest in Delhi demanding statehood for IIOJK

He urged the international community to "move beyond expressions of concern" and play its role in advancing "a just and durable resolution" of the dispute, while reaffirming that a peaceful settlement of Kashmir remained "a cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy". He also pledged Pakistan's continued "diplomatic, political and moral support" for Kashmiris and called on India to reverse the measures introduced since August 2019.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif's Message on Youm-e-Istehsal, 5 August 2026.

Today, on Youm-e-Istehsal, the people and the Government of Pakistan stand in unwavering solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. We solemnly observe this day to remind the world of the…

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) August 5, 2026

In a separate message, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan observed Youm-e-Istehsal to express solidarity with the "resilient people" of IIOJK, who continued to face "grave challenges" while pursuing their right to self-determination.

DPM Dar said Pakistan remained "unwavering" in its support for the fundamental rights of Kashmiris as enshrined in the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions, describing India's actions of August 5, 2019 and subsequent measures as "a matter of deep concern".

He said those actions had "further complicated efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia" and had adversely affected "the lives, rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people".

The foreign minister called on India to cease actions that undermined the internationally recognised disputed status of IIOJK and urged the international community to ensure respect for international law, international humanitarian law, human rights and commitments made under the United Nations framework.

He also reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to continue extending "its unwavering moral, political and diplomatic support" to the people of Kashmir and said Islamabad would keep raising their cause at regional and international forums until the dispute was resolved peacefully.

Message from the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, on 'Youm-e-Istehsal', 5th August 2026. pic.twitter.com/QZmbo08Oam

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 5, 2026

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Asim Munir along with the chiefs of the navy and air force, reaffirmed their "unwavering solidarity with the resilient and courageous people" of IIOJK.

The military said it remained steadfast in its support for "the legitimate struggle of Kashmiri people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in international law and the relevant UNSC resolutions."

It described the "continued illegal occupation" of IIOJK as being marked by a military siege, "rampant human rights violations" and attempts to alter the demographic composition of the territory, warning that such actions, coupled with "provocative rhetoric and belligerent posturing", would only "exacerbate regional instability and perpetuate human suffering".

Read: Post-Article 370 IIOJK: seven years on

The ISPR said it was "explicitly evident" that lasting peace and stability in South Asia remained "intrinsically linked to the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute" in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Paying tribute to those martyred in the disputed region, the armed forces said the people and military of Pakistan would continue to "stand shoulder to shoulder with the Kashmiri people in their just and rightful struggle for freedom".