Pakistan Reiterates Support for Kashmir on ‘Kashmir Black Day’
Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Kashmiri people during his message marking ‘Kashmir Black Day.’ The Prime Minister reiterated the nation’s commitment to providing moral, diplomatic, and political support until the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
Reflecting on the historical significance of the day, Prime Minister Sharif noted that it was 77 years ago that Indian forces landed in Srinagar, suppressing the legitimate aspirations of Kashmiris to determine their own destiny. He criticized India for failing to fulfill its obligations under relevant UNSC resolutions, stating that the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have endured immense suffering over the decades, yet their resolve for self-determination remains unshaken.
“Today, I pay my heartfelt tribute to the sacrifices made by the Kashmiri people in their continued struggle for the right to self-determination. Undoubtedly, their sacrifices will not go in vain,” he remarked. The Prime Minister expressed concern over India’s actions to tighten its grip on IIOJK since August 5, 2019, asserting that such measures aim to undermine the disputed status of the region and deny Kashmiris their democratic rights.
Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the severe restrictions faced by the Kashmiri people, including the high number of political prisoners and the impunity enjoyed by Indian forces under stringent counterterrorism laws. He affirmed that these oppressive tactics would not extinguish the Kashmiri people’s yearning for self-determination.
In closing, the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s position at the United Nations General Assembly, asserting that peace and stability in South Asia hinge on a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, aligned with UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He urged India to acknowledge that it cannot suppress the legitimate desires of Kashmiris through coercive means.
