Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day, leaders reaffirm support for IIOJK struggle

Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed on Thursday to express support for the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in their struggle for the right to self-determination.

The day draws the attention of the international community to the Indian atrocities in the Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

To mark the occasion, solidarity walks, seminars and exhibitions are being organised across Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

A one-minute silence was also observed across the country at 10am to pay homage to the martyrs of the Kashmir freedom movement.

In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed their unwavering moral, diplomatic and political support for Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their just cause to achieve the right to self-determination as enshrined in the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

In their separate messages, they urged the international community to move beyond mere expressions of concern for the Kashmiri people and persuade India to stop the human rights violations in IIOJK.

President Zardari said Pakistanis around the world stand united with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their just struggle and recalled that Kashmir Solidarity Day was initiated 36 years ago by Benazir Bhutto after the 1989 uprising.

The president expressed concern over the situation in Indian-administered Kashmir, saying the unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, had aggravated the plight of the Kashmiri people. He highlighted what he described as intensified efforts by India to entrench control through administrative and legislative measures, curb media freedoms, incarcerate Kashmiri leadership and attempt demographic change.

He called on the international community to move beyond expressions of concern and press India to end alleged human rights violations, allow access to international observers and fulfil its commitment to a plebiscite.

In his message, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged the international community to take decisive actions to address the worsening human rights situation in IIOJK.

He said the world should ensure accountability for India’s illegal and unilateral actions, persuade India to implement the UNSC resolutions and allow the Kashmiri people their promised right to self-determination.

The DPM said India’s persistent defiance undermines the United Nations Charter, the relevant UNSC resolutions and the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Dar said Pakistan’s efforts will remain focused on securing a peaceful and lasting resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

He highlighted that the Kashmiri people “remain deprived of their fundamental rights”, adding that their resilience underscores the legitimacy of their cause. 

Dar said the situation on the ground has “moved beyond episodic violations to a sustained system of repression,” citing actions taken after August 5, 2019, which he said were intended to alter the demographic composition in IIOJK. He added that under a “Hindutva-driven framework,” residents face constant discrimination, noting the recent profiling of mosques where religious functionaries were required to submit personal information, photographs, and sectarian affiliations.

The foreign minister also referred to what he described as “grave human rights violations,” including fake encounters, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms. He urged the international community to take steps to ensure accountability for India’s unilateral actions, implement UNSC resolutions, and allow the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination.

Read: ‘Armed Forces stand with Kashmir’

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also said that the Kashmir issue remains one of the fundamental disputes stemming from the incomplete promises of the partition of the subcontinent. He stressed that sustainable peace in South Asia cannot be achieved without granting the Kashmiri people their internationally recognised right to self-determination.

Meanwhile, in their messages on Kashmir Day, Chief of Defence Forces and the Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and the Armed Forces of Pakistan have reaffirmed unwavering support for the resilient people of IIOJK in their struggle for self-determination.

In a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), they condemned alleged human rights violations in the region, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions and efforts to alter the demographic and political situation, which they said violated international law.

The military leadership reiterated that a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in line with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, was necessary for regional peace and stability. It called on the international community to take steps to address the humanitarian situation in the territory.

The statement said the Pakistan Armed Forces would continue to fulfil their responsibility to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and maintain support for the Kashmiri people’s stated political aspirations.

In her message, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said love for Kashmir runs in the heart of every Pakistani, paying tribute to Kashmiri martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the right to self-determination.

She said Indian brutality in IIOJK has turned the valley into a prison and urged the United Nations and other global bodies to act against human rights violations. She reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued diplomatic, political and moral support for the Kashmiri people and expressed hope that they would soon see the dawn of freedom.

In his message, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein and paid tribute to the Kashmiri people’s struggle. He said the Sindh government and the Pakistan Peoples Party stand in complete solidarity with Kashmiris.

He highlighted the role of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in raising the Kashmir issue at the United Nations and exposing Indian atrocities. He said Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strengthened the Kashmir cause diplomatically at the global level.

He said the right to self-determination is the fundamental right of Kashmiris, their sacrifices will not go in vain, and Pakistan will continue its political, moral and diplomatic support until the issue is resolved in line with UN resolutions.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the hearts of the people of Pakistan beat with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters, noting that Indian brutality and serious human rights violations have continued in IIOJK for the past seven decades.

He said Indian oppression has failed to weaken the unbreakable resolve of the Kashmiri people and their legitimate struggle for freedom, adding that no power in the world can now stop them from achieving their destiny.

Bilawal said the vision of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was carried forward by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who declared February 5 as Kashmir Solidarity Day to give new momentum to the Kashmir cause and to pay tribute to Kashmiri martyrs who sacrificed their lives for freedom.

He said the continued silence of the international community has exposed a clear gap between democratic values and actual practice, urging it to fulfil its moral and legal responsibilities under international law and UN resolutions to protect the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people.

Bilawal reaffirmed that the Pakistan Peoples Party stands firmly with the Kashmiri people and will continue to raise its voice on every forum until Kashmiris achieve freedom, dignity and justice.

Pakistan Peoples Party Women’s Wing Central President Faryal Talpur has said that Kashmir Solidarity Day reminds the world of the suffering, sacrifices and resilience of the people of IIOJK, who continue to face serious human rights violations.

In a statement issued from Bilawal House, she said India’s record of oppression in IIOJK over the past seven decades would remain a stain on humanity. She added that the courage of Kashmiri youth and the suffering of Kashmiri families were awakening the global conscience, and the day was not far when freedom would dawn in the IIOJK.

Talpur paid tribute to Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto for raising the Kashmir issue internationally, saying their legacy underpins Pakistan’s principled stance. She said the PPP, under President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, would continue to raise the Kashmir cause at all forums and stand with the Kashmiri people until they secure their right to self-determination under UN resolutions.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon paid tribute to Kashmiris and martyrs, saying February 5 reflects Pakistan’s solidarity with them. He noted Kashmiris have fought for decades for their rights and self-determination, despite India’s harsh oppression.

Memon said Pakistan stands with Kashmiris and urged the international community to ensure their rights under UN resolutions. He added that India’s actions threaten regional peace, and the Kashmiri struggle is a fight for human rights and justice.

A rally from China Chowk to D-Chowk, organised to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day, was led by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engineer Amir Muqam.

Hurriyat representatives, political figures and large numbers of citizens participated, carrying banners and placards and calling for a UN-backed resolution and continued international attention on the Kashmir issue. Speakers reiterated Pakistan’s moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people.