Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Muzaffarabad on Kashmir Solidarity Day on Thursday, reaffirming Pakistan’s steadfast political, moral, and diplomatic support for the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in their struggle for self-determination.
In his message, the PM said Pakistan will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Kashmiris until they achieve freedom from occupation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz reached Muzaffarabad to address a special session of the AJK Legislative Assembly in connection with Kashmir Solidarity Day. He was warmly received by Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore and senior officials. He was accompanied by Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, Sardar Yousaf, and Rana Sanaullah.
Kashmir Solidarity Day message
In his message, the prime minister said Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed to reaffirm Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
He stressed that Pakistan will continue to support Kashmiris in their just and legitimate struggle, describing the issue as a moral and legal responsibility.
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Shehbaz said the Kashmir dispute remains one of the longest unresolved issues on the agenda of the United Nations. He noted that several UN Security Council resolutions have clearly recognized Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory and called for the will of the Kashmiri people to be respected.
Human rights situation in held Kashmir
The prime minister said the Kashmiri people have been deprived of their fundamental rights for nearly eight decades due to what he described as Indian intransigence.
He added that Indian-occupied Kashmir has become a symbol of oppression, marked by grave and systematic human rights violations.
Referring to the August 5, 2019 actions, Shehbaz Sharif said these measures were taken to entrench India’s forcible control over Occupied Kashmir. He stated that these steps blatantly violate UN Security Council resolutions and the Geneva Convention, further worsening the situation on the ground.
Ideological, religious oppression
The PM said India’s illegal actions in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are driven by Hindu extremist ideology. He highlighted that the administrative committees of mosques and shrines are under constant surveillance, describing it as part of a broader attempt to silence and disempower the Kashmiri nation.
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Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan salutes the unparalleled courage, steadfastness, and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people. He reaffirmed that Pakistan fully respects the rights of Kashmiris and will continue to extend moral, diplomatic, and political support at all international forums.
Expressing optimism, the prime minister said that these dark days will soon turn into a bright dawn of freedom. He added that the day is not far when the people of Kashmir will live their lives free from Indian occupation, enjoying dignity, peace, and self-rule.
