PAKISTANI nation expressed its resolute solidarity with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters on Black Day. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in separate messages, reaffirmed unwavering support, pledging moral, diplomatic and political backing for the Kashmiris’ inalienable right to self-determination.
Observance of Black Day serves a vital purpose: reminding the world of its unfulfilled promise to the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to uphold their right to decide their future as per UN Security Council resolutions. This year’s rallies, protests and seminars amplified that call, urging the international community to recognize the urgency of the Kashmir dispute, which has been overshadowed by political and economic expediency on the global stage. The Kashmir struggle has entered a new era of challenge since August 5, 2019, when the Indian Government, led by Narendra Modi, unilaterally revoked the special status of IIOJK. Through a series of oppressive measures and an accelerated militarization of the region, India has sought to tighten its grip over IIOJK. There is clear evidence of ongoing attempts to alter the demographic structure, a ploy that threatens to fundamentally transform the identity of the region. History is replete with examples showing that struggles for freedom cannot be stifled by military might or repressive measures. Kashmiris continue to pay a high price with their lives but their resilience keeps the flame of their cause burning brightly. It is incumbent upon the UN and major capitals to recognize that the time for silence has passed. Turning a blind eye to the blatant violations in IIOJK or offering tacit approval only emboldens further abuses. It is a pressing responsibility to hold India accountable and pressurize it to honour the UNSC resolutions. Diplomatic and economic expediency cannot justify ignoring a struggle rooted in justice and self-determination. Failure to address this issue will not only perpetuate the suffering of the Kashmiri people but will also continue to destabilize the South Asian region.
