ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday reaffirmed its solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as Kashmiris across the world observed Youm-e-Istehsal (Day of Exploitation) to protest India’s unilateral revocation of the region’s special status on August 5, 2019.
It was on this day in 2019 that India unilaterally and illegally stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status, the action that has since then been rejected by the international community, Kashmiris, and Pakistanis alike.
Special walks and events were held across all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. A one-minute silence was also observed at 10:00 AM nationwide to honour the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people.
A rally was taken out in Islamabad from the Foreign Office, which was joined by dignitaries and people from different walks of life.
In their special messages on the occasion, the President, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister have renewed Pakistan’s unwavering diplomatic, political and moral support to the Kashmir Cause and called for resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people, a news release from Foreign Office Spokesperson said.
They have also underscored that India’s unlawful actions since 5 August 2019 are aimed at turning the Kashmiris into a disempowered community in their land.
Pakistan Armed Forces reaffirm solidarity
On the occasion Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, along with the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, and the Pakistan Armed Forces, reaffirm their unwavering solidarity with the resilient and courageous people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Deputy PM writes to UN
The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister has addressed letters to the President of the UN General Assembly, the President of the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the OIC Secretary-General to apprise them of the latest developments in IIOJK.
In these letters, he urged the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions to enable the people of Jammu and Kashmir to determine their future.
National Assembly adopts resolution
The National Assembly, the lower House of the Parliament, unanimously passed a resolution reiterating that Pakistan will never compromise on the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination as guaranteed under international law and UN resolutions.
The resolution condemned India’s illegal, unilateral, and morally indefensible actions of 5 August 2019, which aimed to alter the internationally recognised status of Jammu and Kashmir in violation of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions.
It reaffirmed that no unilateral action by India can alter the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir, which continues to be a matter on the United Nations agenda.
It asserted that the Jammu and Kashmir issue is not an internal matter of India, but a global concern that demands a just and lasting resolution in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The resolution also urged the international community to uphold justice and speak out against Indian oppression and ongoing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, rather than remaining silent.
Youm-e-Istehsal across globe
With the active participation of the Pakistani and Kashmiri Diaspora, Pakistan’s diplomatic missions around the world also arranged special events to raise global awareness about the Indian oppression in IIOJK.
Pakistan’s missions in the UAE, Iran, Jordan, South Africa, China, Egypt, Turkey, Japan, the Americas, and Europe hold special ceremonies.
The messages of President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif were read out during these events, and special documentaries highlighting atrocities of the Indian Government in IIOJK were also screened.
Massive protests erupt across IIOJK
Massive protests broke out across Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Tuesday.
Large demonstrations were held in Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, and several other districts, with hundreds of people taking to the streets in defiance of a heavy security presence.
In Srinagar’s Lal Chowk and other key areas, protesters attempted to march towards central squares, but were met with a violent crackdown by Indian police, who used tear gas and baton charges to disperse the crowds.
Eyewitnesses reported that entry into Lal Chowk was blocked, while Indian forces ramped up cordon-and-search operations in surrounding neighbourhoods to curb the demonstrations.
