President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
In their separate messages on Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir being observed today, they paid tribute to the Kashmiri people’s courage, resilience and commitment to their right to self-determination.
They said this day is being observed to remind the world of the grave consequences of India’s illegal and unilateral actions in 2019 in flagrant violation of international law and the relevant UN resolutions.
They said seven years on, the unlawful action has neither changed the legal status of Jammu and Kashmir nor diminished the legitimate aspiration of its people.
The President and Prime Minister said Pakistan will continue to raise its voice at every international forum till the resolution of this dispute.
They said peace in south Asia will remain elusive till this long-pending dispute is resolved in line with the UN resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people.
The President and Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s call upon the international community to urge India to end its human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and reverse its illegal action of August 2019 to enable peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
In a video message in connection with Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called upon India to cease all actions that undermine the internationally recognized disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said it was on this Day in 2019 that India took unilateral and illegal actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir that sought to alter its disputed status.
Ishaq Dar said these actions represented a challenge to the established international framework governing the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and intensified hardships faced by people of the territory.
He said Pakistan urges India to take steps conducive to creating environment for peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute.
Ishaq Dar said Pakistan also calls upon the international community particularly the United Nations to fulfill its long overdue responsibility and make meaningful efforts for resolving the Kashmir dispute.
He said lasting peace and stability in south Asia can only be achieved through resolution of this dispute in accordance with aspirations of Kashmiri people and relevant UN resolutions.
He said Pakistan stands in steadfast solidarity with the Kashmiri people, and will continue to raise voice and extend moral, diplomatic and political support for their just right to self-determination.
