On the 76th anniversary of the historic United Nations resolution for the right to self-determination in Jammu and Kashmir, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have once again reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people in their legitimate struggle for freedom.

As Kashmiris across the globe observe January 5 as Right to Self-Determination Day, both leaders highlighted the continuing oppression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and called for decisive international action to end human rights violations and fulfill the promises made by the global community.

In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari recalled the historic resolution passed by the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) on January 5, 1949, which guaranteed a free and fair plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir to enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination.

Kashmiris determined to achieve their inalienable right to self- determination: APHC

He condemned India’s decades-long denial of this right and the systemic brutalities faced by Kashmiris, particularly since August 5, 2019, when India took unilateral actions aimed at altering the demographic and political structure of the disputed region.

President Zardari stressed that despite these atrocities, the spirit of the Kashmiri people remains unbroken. “The struggle of Kashmiris for freedom cannot be suppressed,” he said, urging the international community to fulfill its obligation to support Kashmir’s right to self-determination, as outlined in UN resolutions.

Kashmiris self determination day | Pakistan Today

He further called on the international community, particularly the United Nations, to prevent India from committing further human rights violations in IIOJK.

PM Shehbaz calls for global action

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed similar concerns, stressing that the right to self-determination is a fundamental principle of the UN Charter and international law.

In his message, he noted that every year, the United Nations General Assembly passes a resolution that advocates for the right of people under foreign occupation to determine their own destiny.

However, for over seven decades, the Kashmiri people have been denied this right, with India continuing to suppress their legitimate struggle for freedom.

Premier also condemned India’s attempts to consolidate its illegal occupation of IIOJK through illegal and unilateral measures, including the controversial actions taken since August 5, 2019, to alter the region’s demographic and political structure. He reiterated Pakistan's firm commitment to providing full moral, political, and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their quest for self-determination.

Courtesy: File

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Kashmiris observed the day with rallies, seminars, and conferences, drawing attention to the international community’s responsibility to implement relevant UN resolutions.

A special session of the AJK Legislative Assembly was convened to highlight the gross human rights violations in IIOJK and urge the United Nations to fulfill its promises regarding Kashmir.

In IIOJK, posters calling for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with the 1949 UN resolution appeared in Srinagar and other areas, urging the international community to take meaningful steps to end the suffering of the Kashmiri people. The posters, some of which featured Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir, also emphasized the importance of self-determination as a vital component of human dignity and freedom.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference, representing a broad spectrum of Kashmiri political groups, called for global recognition of Kashmir’s right to self-determination and demanded the immediate cessation of India’s oppressive actions. The conference’s call for international solidarity with the Kashmiri people underscores the need for the global community to act decisively to ensure the realization of their legitimate aspirations for freedom.