RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s military leadership and Armed Forces on Wednesday reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with the resilient and courageous people of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal (Day of Exploitation), reiterating the country’s continued support for the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
In a joint message issued by the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, and the Armed Forces of Pakistan said they stood shoulder to shoulder with the resilient and courageous people of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The Armed Forces of Pakistan reiterated their steadfast support for the legitimate struggle of Kashmiri people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in International law and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The continued illegal occupation of IIOJK by Indian security forces, marked by military siege, rampant human rights violations and attempts to alter the demographic composition of the territory, remains a matter of serious concern, the military stated.
“Such actions, coupled with provocative rhetoric and belligerent posturing, serve only to exacerbate regional instability and perpetuate human suffering,” the military’s media wing stated.
Pakistan’s military maintained that it is explicitly evident that lasting peace and stability in South Asia are intrinsically linked to the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
“The people and Armed Forces of Pakistan pay solemn tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK and reiterate their enduring commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Kashmiri people in their just and rightful struggle for freedom.”
Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir (Day of Exploitation) is observed on August 5 each year in Pakistan and by Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and across the world. The day marks the anniversary of India’s unilateral abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A on August 5, 2019, which removed the special autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir.
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference has renewed its call to observe August 5 as Youm-e-Istehsal and Black Day.
APHC spokesman Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas, in a statement issued in Srinagar, called for a complete shutdown across the occupied territory and peaceful protest rallies worldwide on August 5.
President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed unwavering solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir and paid tribute to their courage, resilience and commitment to their just struggle for the realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination.
“Seven years have passed since India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019, which sought to alter the internationally recognised disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir in violation of international law and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions,” the president said in a message on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir.
He said these actions could not change the legal status of the dispute, nor could they weaken the resolve of the Kashmiri people.
For seven years, the President said millions of Kashmiris had continued to live under severe restrictions that had affected every aspect of daily life.
“Families have endured uncertainty, young people have seen their opportunities constrained and entire communities have continued to bear the burden of prolonged conflict and instability. Despite these hardships, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice and their legitimate right to determine their own future.”
President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan remained unwavering in its moral, political and diplomatic support for the people of IIOJK. “We will continue to raise our voice at every international forum until the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.”
He highlighted that a just and lasting peace in South Asia was closely linked to the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. “I urge the international community, particularly the United Nations, to play its role in addressing the grave human rights situation in IIOJK and in advancing a just and peaceful settlement of this longstanding dispute.”
“To my Kashmiri brothers and sisters, I say: Pakistan stands firmly with you. Your courage in the face of adversity inspires us. You are not alone. The people of Pakistan will continue to stand by you until your legitimate right to self-determination is realised,” the president said and prayed to Allah Almighty to grant the people of Jammu and Kashmir strength, patience and steadfastness, and bless them with justice and lasting peace.
