THE history of the State of Jammu and Kashmir is adorned with indelible marks of oppression, resistance, sacrifice and the unyielding spirit of freedom.
For centuries, the people of Kashmir endured foreign domination yet never abandoned their dream of liberty and self-determination. Their struggle has always been about safeguarding their homeland, preserving their identity and securing the future of their generations. Within this long saga, October 24 stands out as a milestone—the day when the Kashmiri people proclaimed their freedom and wrote a new chapter in their destiny. The roots of this struggle trace back to March 16, 1846, when under the Treaty of Amritsar, the entire territory of Kashmir was sold to the Dogra ruler Gulab Singh for a mere 7.5 million Nanakshahi rupees. This infamous treaty was not only a humiliation for the Kashmiri people but also the beginning of a century-long era of servitude and tyranny. The common people toiled endlessly, watering the land with their sweat and blood while the rulers treated them as subjects without rights or dignity.
The first organized voice against this slavery rose on July 13, 1931, when dozens of Kashmiris were martyred outside the Srinagar Central Jail. Their only crime was their demand for justice and freedom. This day became a symbol of awakening and sacrifice, breathing new life into the freedom movement of Kashmir. In this context, the 1934 elections and the establishment of the Praja Sabha marked a significant development. Though its powers were limited, it gave the people of Kashmir their first experience of political representation. That small beginning eventually paved the way for a momentous decision that would define the future course of the region. On 19 July 1947, the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference passed the historic Resolution of Accession to Pakistan. This was the moment when the people of Kashmir made their choice clear. Even before Pakistan came into existence, Kashmiris had already declared where their hearts and hopes lay—with Pakistan. That resolution became the Magna Carta of Kashmir’s freedom struggle, providing a moral and ideological foundation for their quest for self-determination.
Only a few months later, on October 24, 1947, at Plundri, the Kashmiri people formally announced their independence and established the Azad Government of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. This declaration proved that the people of Kashmir not only rejected servitude but also possessed the capacity to create and defend their own political system. Later, this government shifted its capital to Muzaffarabad and organized the freedom movement into a structured framework. Pakistan played a decisive role in supporting this movement. According to the Partition Plan of June 3, 1947, Muslim-majority areas were to accede to Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir’s overwhelming majority was Muslim. Geographical proximity, cultural unity and religious affinity made Kashmir a natural part of Pakistan. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah famously described Kashmir as the jugular vein of Pakistan—a metaphor reflecting the depth of this connection.
Kashmir’s struggle soon attracted global attention. In 1948, India itself took the issue to the United Nations where the Security Council recognized the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination. The UN resolutions clearly affirmed that the people of Kashmir should decide their future through a free and impartial plebiscite. Yet India has persistently defied these commitments, using military force and repression to stifle the voice of the Kashmiris. In this long history, August 5, 2019, opened yet another dark chapter when India unilaterally revoked the special constitutional status of Occupied Kashmir. This act not only violated UN resolutions but also deepened regional instability. Despite the curfews, detentions and communication blackouts, the resolve of the Kashmiri people remains unbroken—they continue their struggle with unwavering courage.
Pakistan’s political and military leadership has consistently reaffirmed its solidarity with the Kashmiri people. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff, has repeatedly stated in unequivocal terms that Pakistan will never abandon the people of Kashmir. More recently, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif, the military spokesperson, reiterated that Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein and there can be no compromise on it. These statements are not mere rhetoric—they are reflections of Pakistan’s national resolve and a reassurance of faith to the Kashmiri people. The recent incidents of Indian aggression in May 2025 once again exposed India’s failure to crush the Kashmiri spirit through force. The brave and resolute response of the Pakistan Armed Forces sent a clear message to the world: Pakistan will never compromise on the defense of Kashmir or the cause of its freedom. This reaffirmation stands as a testament to the unbreakable bond between Pakistan and the Kashmiri people—their sacrifices will not go in vain and their destiny remains tied to Pakistan.
October 24 reminds us that freedom is not merely a political goal but a civilizational, moral and spiritual mission. It calls upon us to renew our pledge—that as long as even one Kashmiri resists Indian occupation, Pakistan will stand shoulder to shoulder with them. This day is a declaration that Kashmir’s freedom is the completion of Pakistan’s creation. The dawn of liberty will indeed rise and the blood of martyrs will never be forgotten. Each year, on October 24, the mountains of Plundri and the skies of Muzaffarabad echo with a single message. “The freedom of Kashmir is the fulfillment of Pakistan.”
—The writer is a Supreme Court lawyer and former member & Chairman Standing Committee of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council. Islamabad
