ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), calling for a just and peaceful resolution of the longstanding dispute in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
In their separate messages on Kashmir Black Day, observed on October 27, the president and the prime minister urged the international community to pay greater attention to the human rights situation in IIOJK and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to extending moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people.
President Zardari called upon the international community, particularly the United Nations and international human rights organisations, to take due cognisance of the human rights situation in IIOJK, support efforts to protect the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people and contribute meaningfully towards a lasting settlement.
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT ASIF ALI ZARDARI ON JAMMU AND KASHMIR BLACK DAY — 27 OCTOBER 2026
On Jammu and Kashmir Black Day, we solemnly remember 27 October 1947, when Indian forces landed in Srinagar, marking the beginning of a prolonged and tragic chapter in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. This day reaffirms our recognition of the longstanding aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the continued pursuit of the fundamental and inalienable right to self-determination.
For the past eight decades, the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have endured profound sufferings, marked by violence, repression and serious violations of fundamental rights. Generations of Kashmiris have made immense sacrifices in their pursuit of justice, dignity and freedom. Their resilience and determination in the face of adversity remain a testament to the enduring strength of their cause.
Since 27 October 1947, the people of IIOJK have endured decades of conflict, restrictions and denial of their fundamental rights. The continuing restrictions on fundamental freedoms, heightened militarisation, arrests and reports of human rights violations remain a matter of serious concern and underscore the need for sustained international attention. The situation has further deteriorated since August 5, 2019, when India unilaterally attempted to alter the constitutional and legal status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Black Day is, therefore, not merely a day of remembrance. It is also an occasion to reaffirm our commitment to a peaceful and just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Lasting peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia remain closely linked to the resolution of this longstanding dispute, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
On this solemn occasion, I call upon the international community, particularly the United Nations and international human rights organisations, to take due cognisance of the human rights situation in IIOJK, support efforts for the protection of the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people and contribute meaningfully towards a just, peaceful and lasting resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Pakistan will continue to extend its unwavering moral, diplomatic and political support to the people of IIOJK. We will continue to raise their voice at every appropriate international forum and to advocate the realisation of their legitimate aspirations.
Today, we pay tribute to the countless sacrifices of the Kashmiri people and reaffirm our solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. Pakistan stands with them in the pursuit of justice, peace, dignity and the realisation of the legitimate right to self-determination.
The day is not far off when the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be able to determine their own future in accordance with their aspirations and the Jammu and Kashmir dispute will move towards a just and peaceful resolution.
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— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) October 26, 2026
He reiterated that Pakistan would continue to raise the Kashmir issue at every appropriate international forum and advocate the realisation of the Kashmiri people’s legitimate aspirations.
“Kashmir Black Day is not merely an occasion for remembrance but also an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to a peaceful and just resolution of the dispute,” the president said.
He emphasised that lasting peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia remained closely linked to resolving the longstanding issue in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Paying tribute to the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with them in their pursuit of justice, peace, dignity and the realisation of their right to self-determination.
He said the day was not far off when the people of Jammu and Kashmir would be able to determine their own future in accordance with their aspirations and the dispute would move towards a just and peaceful resolution.
Recalling October 27, 1947, when Indian forces landed in Srinagar, the president said the event marked the beginning of a prolonged and tragic chapter in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the people of IIOJK had endured decades of conflict, restrictions, violence and repression, with successive generations making immense sacrifices in their pursuit of justice, dignity and freedom.
President Zardari expressed serious concern over continuing restrictions on fundamental freedoms, heightened militarisation, arrests and reports of human rights violations, underscoring the need for sustained international attention.
He added that the situation had further deteriorated since August 5, 2019, when India unilaterally attempted to alter the constitutional and legal status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Lasting peace impossible without Kashmir dispute resolution: PM
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir remained clear, consistent and principled, stressing that lasting peace and stability in South Asia could not be achieved without a just and peaceful resolution of the dispute.
In his message on Kashmir Black Day, the prime minister said the government and people of Pakistan reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with the people of IIOJK.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s Message on Jammu & Kashmir Black Day
“The people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have endured immense hardship, suffering and repression. Yet their courage, resilience and unwavering resolve to secure their fundamental rights remain undiminished. The sacrifices of successive generations stand as a powerful testament to their enduring commitment to freedom, dignity and justice. India has continued its efforts to suppress legitimate political expression and silence the voices that represent the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The prolonged incarceration of Kashmiri political leaders, activists and human rights defenders remains deeply concerning. It underscores the need for due process, respect for basic liberties, and greater international attention to the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Since 5 August 2019, India has taken a series of unilateral measures in IIOJK, accompanied by sweeping restrictions on fundamental freedoms. These measures, affecting the political, legal and demographic character of the territory, have drawn serious international attention. Pakistan has consistently called for these developments to be addressed in accordance with international law and the applicable United Nations Security Council resolutions. Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir remains clear, consistent and principled. Lasting peace and stability in South Asia cannot be achieved without a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
May the people of Jammu and Kashmir realize a future of lasting peace, dignity and security, and the fulfilment of their aspirations, including the right to self-determination.”
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 27, 2026
He said Pakistan would continue to extend moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people and advocate their legitimate rights at national and international forums.
Recalling the events of October 27, 1947, PM Shehbaz said the landing of Indian forces in Srinagar had marked the beginning of a tragic chapter whose effects continued to be felt across the region.
He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had since been denied their inalienable right to self-determination, as affirmed in relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The prime minister observed that the people of IIOJK had endured immense hardship, suffering and repression, but their courage, resilience and determination to secure their fundamental rights remained undiminished.
He said the sacrifices of successive generations reflected their enduring commitment to freedom, dignity and justice. PM Shehbaz expressed deep concern over what he described as India’s continued efforts to suppress legitimate political expression and silence voices representing the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
He said 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 further said India had taken a series of unilateral measures in IIOJK since August 5, 2019, accompanied by sweeping restrictions on fundamental freedoms. These measures, which he said affected the political, legal and demographic character of the territory, had drawn serious international attention.
Pakistan had consistently called for these developments to be addressed in accordance with international law and applicable UN Security Council resolutions, he added.
On the occasion, PM Shehbaz paid tribute to the Kashmiri men, women and children who had made immense sacrifices in pursuit of their rights, saying their memory would always be honoured.
He maintained that the aspirations of the Kashmiri people could not be extinguished through coercion or repression and prayed that their future would be marked by lasting peace, dignity, security and the fulfilment of their right to self-determination.
