KASHMIR Solidarity Day focuses on showing Pakistan’s support and unity with the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir, their ongoing freedom struggle and to pay homage to Kashmiri martyrs who lost their lives fighting for Kashmir’s freedom. The observance of the Kashmir Day every year is aimed at highlighting the illegal and illegitimate occupation of Kashmir by Indian forces; the plight of Kashmiris in the face of ongoing Indian state terrorism and the imperative need of resolution of the dispute in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiri people. The people of occupied Jammu & Kashmir have continued their valiant struggle for right of self-determination despite the overwhelming oppression and gross violations of their fundamental human rights by Indian occupation forces. The oppression of Occupation forces has failed to diminish the struggle and desire of the Kashmiri people to achieve their right of self-determination.
On this day, the people of Pakistan renew their resolve to continue their support for their brave and valiant Kashmiri brothers and sisters till they achieve their cherished objective and Pakistan will continue its moral, political and diplomatic support for the struggle of the Kashmiri people in their quest to attain their right of self-determination. On this day Pakistani nation highlights the significance of the day and calls upon the Indian Government to stop its atrocities against the Kashmiri people as well as to find solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiri people. The speakers re-affirm their support for the resolve of Kashmiris to continue the freedom struggle despite Indian State terrorism, till the objective of the right of self-determination, as enshrined in United Nations Security Council resolutions is achieved. The sacrifices rendered by the Kashmiri people and the atrocities committed by Indian occupation forces will never be forgotten. We remember and pay homage to the martyrs of the freedom struggle.
The people of Pakistan and Kashmiris around the world commemorate 5th February each year as Kashmir Solidarity Day. They reiterate their persistent support and send a loud and clear message to the world that Kashmiris are not alone in their struggle against the occupying forces. Black Day is observed every year to remind the nation and the world about illegal and illegitimate occupation of Kashmir and highlights the plight of the Kashmiri people to the international community. Kashmir Solidarity Day is an occasion to reiterate our firm support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their legitimate struggle for their inalienable right to self-determination. On this day we reaffirm our resolve to stand by our brothers and sisters in their valiant struggle for their just cause. The peace-loving people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to suffer. Not only the right to self-determination is being denied to them but they are also being subjected to the worst kind of human rights abuses violence and suppression.
Over hundred thousand of Kashmiris have lost their lives and thousands more are languishing in Indian jails. But the atrocities and humiliations have not deterred them from a cause cased on their legitimate aspiration of their right of self determination as enshrined in the UN Charter and UNSC Resolutions. A just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir is a sine qua non for lasting peace is South Asia. Pakistan is committed to the resolution of all outstanding disputes with India including Jammu and Kashmir, through dialogue. Pakistani nation invites India to engage in a comprehensive sustained and result-oriented dialogue process. We also urge the international community to play its due role in securing for Kashmiris their right to self-determination.
Pakistan maintains that Kashmir is the Jugular vein of Pakistan and a currently disputed territory whose final status must be determined by the people of Kashmir. Pakistan’s claims to the disputed region are based on the rejection of Indian claims to Kashmir, namely the Instrument of Accession. Pakistan insists that the Maharaja was not a popular leader, and was regarded as a tyrant by most Kashmiris. Pakistan maintains that the Maharaja used brute force to suppress the population. Pakistan claims that Indian forces were in Kashmir before the Instrument of Accession was signed with India, and that therefore Indian troops were in Kashmir in violation of the Standstill Agreement, which was designed to maintain the status quo in Kashmir although India was not signatory to the Agreement, which was signed between Pakistan and the Hindu ruler of Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan will continue playing its constructive role towards peaceful solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. We reaffirm Pakistan’s firm commitment to a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the protection of their fundamental rights. We will always stand by our Kashmiri brethren until the realization of their right to self determination. Pakistan upholds the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to self-determination in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
—The writer is author of several books based in Islamabad.
(naveedamankhan@hotmail.com)
