Pakistan’s top leadership condemned India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir as the country observed Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir on Monday.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the CJCSC, services chiefs, and the armed forces stated that for the past seven decades, Kashmiris have awaited the fulfillment of the United Nations’ solemn commitments.
They emphasized the importance of the international community urging India to halt its human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and to implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
President Zardari affirmed that Pakistan will continue to provide full moral, diplomatic, and political support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination, as outlined in the pertinent UN Security Council resolutions.
August 5 marks the fifth anniversary of India’s latest efforts to consolidate its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir, he stated.
“On this day five years ago, India undertook several unilateral and unlawful actions in IIOJ&K to undermine its internationally recognized disputed status,” he said.
The president noted that since August 5, 2019, India has launched a relentless campaign to alter the demographic and political landscape of IIOJ&K.
He pointed out that key aspects of this campaign include issuing domicile certificates to outsiders, registering temporary residents on the voters’ lists, gerrymandering assembly constituencies, and changing land and property ownership laws.
“All these measures violate the United Nations Security Council resolutions and international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention,” he asserted.
The president emphasized that India’s actions since August 5, 2019, show a complete disregard for international law, the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, and UN Security Council resolutions.
He asserted that India would not succeed in suppressing the rightful struggle of the people of IIOJ&K through domestic legislation and judicial decisions.
President Zardari highlighted that the presence of hundreds of thousands of Indian troops has turned IIOJ&K into one of the most militarized zones in the world.
He noted that gross human rights violations in IIOJ&K have been extensively documented and condemned globally.
“The mistreatment of Kashmiri journalists and human rights defenders further demonstrates India’s willingness to go to any lengths to silence dissenting voices,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to provide strong moral, political, and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people until they realize their inalienable right to self-determination.
He acknowledged that the people and government are observing Yaum-e-Istehsal today.
“This somber occasion serves as a reminder of the grave consequences of India’s illegal actions on August 5, 2019, regarding Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).”
