ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday renewed its support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirming the country’s continued diplomatic, political and moral backing for Kashmiris.
The day marks seven years since India revoked the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and reorganised the region into two federally administered union territories.
In separate messages issued to mark the occasion, the country’s top leadership said Pakistan would continue to advocate for the Kashmir issue at regional and international forums.
What did Pakistan’s leadership say on Youm-e-Istehsal?
President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the resilience and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, saying Pakistan remained steadfast in its moral, political and diplomatic support for their cause.
He urged the international community, particularly the United Nations, to play its role in addressing the human rights situation in the region and advancing a peaceful resolution of the dispute in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and reiterated the country’s commitment to raising the issue at every regional and international forum.
He called on the international community to urge India to reverse the measures introduced since August 2019, end what Pakistan describes as human rights violations, and create conditions for a peaceful resolution of the dispute through the exercise of the right to self-determination in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
What message did the foreign minister deliver?
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the developments of August 5, 2019 had altered the internationally recognised status of Jammu and Kashmir and had further complicated efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia.
In a televised message, Dar urged the United Nations and the international community to fulfil their responsibilities under international law and support a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
He reiterated Pakistan’s position that lasting peace and stability in South Asia depended on resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Pakistan observes Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir annually on August 5 to mark the anniversary of India’s 2019 constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir and to express solidarity with the people of the region.