Kashmir settlement 'key to peace'

ISLAMABAD:

President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday called on the international community to address the human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), reaffirming Pakistan's moral, diplomatic and political support for the Kashmiri people.

In their separate messages on Kashmir Black Day, being observed on October 27 (today), both leaders stressed that lasting peace and stability in South Asia depended on a just and peaceful resolution of the longstanding dispute.

They paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people and reiterated their support for their fundamental and inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and their aspirations.

President Zardari urged the international community, particularly the United Nations and international human rights organisations, to take due cognisance of the situation and support efforts to protect the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people.

"We will continue to raise their voice at every appropriate international forum and to advocate the realisation of their legitimate aspirations," he said, reaffirming Pakistan's solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their pursuit of justice, peace, dignity and self-determination.

The president said October 27, 1947, when Indian forces landed in Srinagar, marked the beginning of a prolonged and tragic chapter in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. He said generations of Kashmiris had endured violence, repression, restrictions and serious violations of fundamental rights.

Zardari said continuing restrictions on fundamental freedoms, heightened militarisation, arrests and reports of human rights violations remained matters of serious concern, underscoring the need for sustained international attention.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said the Kashmiri people had been denied their right to self-determination for 79 years. "Pakistan's position on Jammu and Kashmir remains clear, consistent and principled," he said, adding that the people of Pakistan reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with the people of IIOJK.

He expressed concern over India's efforts to suppress legitimate political expression and silence voices representing Kashmiri aspirations. "Their courage and determination to secure their fundamental rights remained undiminished despite decades of hardship and repression," he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the prolonged incarceration of Kashmiri political leaders, activists and human rights defenders underscored the need for due process, respect for basic liberties and greater international attention.

The prime minister said unilateral measures taken by India since August 5, 2019, accompanied by sweeping restrictions on fundamental freedoms, had affected the political, legal and demographic character of the territory.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)