Sharjeel Memon reaffirms solidarity with Kashmiris in IIOJK on Youm-e-Istehsal

Says Kashmiris have been making unparalleled sacrifices for decades in pursuit of their right to self-determination

Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Wednesday reaffirmed solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Youm-e-Istehsal, saying India's actions of August 5, 2019 had violated international law and failed to weaken the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination.

In August, 2019, India's government revoked the special status of IIOJK and rushed through a presidential decree in a bid to fully integrate its only Muslim-majority region with the rest of the country, hours after imposing a major security clampdown in the region. 

In a statement issued today, Memon described August 5, 2019 as "a dark day in the history of South Asia", saying India had violated international law by unilaterally revoking the special constitutional status of IIOJK.

He said the Kashmiri people had been making "unparalleled sacrifices" for decades in pursuit of their right to self-determination, adding that "Indian state repression, grave human rights violations, extrajudicial killings and atrocities" had failed to weaken the resolve of the Kashmiri people or their desire for freedom.

Memon said that Pakistan and its people stood in "unwavering solidarity" with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters.

The senior minister said the Pakistan Peoples Party had always been a strong supporter of the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination and would continue to raise their voice on international platforms under the leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

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He said Youm-e-Istehsal served as a reminder of Pakistan's commitment to continue extending political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of Kashmir at every level.

Describing the Kashmiri freedom movement as "a just struggle", Memon expressed confidence that "the day will come when the Kashmiri people will decide their own future through their free will."