Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination, stating that a peaceful resolution to the longstanding Kashmir dispute is essential for sustainable peace in South Asia.

In a statement marking Kashmir Accession Day - observed annually on July 19 - the prime minister paid tribute to the "historic decision" made by the people of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947, when they passed a resolution supporting the state's accession to Pakistan.

He lauded the “unprecedented sacrifices” made by generations of Kashmiris in their continued struggle for freedom and self-determination. “Despite the presence of over a million Indian occupation forces and decades of oppression, the spirit of the Kashmiri people remains unbroken,” the premier said.

PM Sharif noted that the current generation of Kashmiris has inherited the same courage and resolve that their elders demonstrated at the time of partition.

“Their struggle is a testament to their commitment to identity, independence and sovereignty,” he added.

The premier reiterated that a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, in line with the United Nations Security Council resolutions, is imperative for lasting peace in the region.

“The international community must fulfill its responsibility by ensuring that Kashmiris are granted their legitimate right to self-determination,” he said.

Referring to ongoing human rights violations in Indian Ilegaly Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the prime minister criticised what he described as the "brutal policies" imposed by New Delhi and called for increased international attention to the plight of the Kashmiri people.

Pakistan observes July 19 to commemorate the resolution passed in 1947 by the then leadership of Jammu and Kashmir in favour of accession to Pakistan — a historical position Islamabad continues to uphold.