MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, during his visit to Muzaffarabad on Kashmir Solidarity Day today, reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination and urged the international community to speak for peace.
He emphasized that lasting peace in South Asia depended on the international community urging India to allow Kashmiris to decide their future, as true peace could not be achieved by suppressing their legitimate aspirations.
He also referred to the recent developments in the Middle East and said that disputes that were not resolved should not be ignored. In his message on 5th February, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment to supporting Kashmiris in their pursuit of self-determination.
“The right to self-determination is a fundamental principle of international law. Every year, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly passes a resolution reaffirming the legal right of people to decide their destiny,” the PM stated.
He said that Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) was still one of the most militarised areas in the world, where people lived in fear and intimidation, and expressed remorse that Kashmiris had been denied this right for 78 years.
PM Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to aiding the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir during the visit.
Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar acknowledged that the highlight of his visit was his speech before the AJK Legislative Assembly. Prime Minister AJK, Chaudhry Anwarul Haq and parliamentary leaders of various political parties also addressed the assembly before he delivered his speech.
The PM paid his tribute to the victims who had given their lives in the fight against India by laying a floral wreath at the Monument to victims at Chattar Chowk when he first arrived in Muzaffarabad.
Alongside the prime minister, General Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff, laid the wreath and offered Fateha in memory of the fallen heroes of Kashmir.
How is the Kashmir Solidarity Day being observed?
In Muzaffarabad, a candlelight vigil and torch rally were held Tuesday night to honour Kashmiris who are fighting against Indian oppression.
Organised at Burhan Wani Chowk by Pasban-i-Hurriyat Jammu Kashmir (PHJK), a group representing post-1989 migrants from Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the rally aimed to highlight the worsening situation in the occupied territory.
The participants marched from Burhan Wani Chowk to Garhi Pan Chowk, carrying blazing torches and banners. Scores of them flew flags of Azad Kashmir and Pakistan, with a prominent banner carrying the slogan: “All Eyes on Jammu & Kashmir.”
Speaking at the rally, PHJK chairman Uzair Ahmad Ghazali said that the Kashmir issue was still one of the most contentious ones between India and Pakistan, while millions across the world were still crying for justice in this respect.
Human chains were formed at Mangla, Kohala, Bararkot, Azad Pattan, and Holar, symbolically linking Pakistan with Azad Kashmir. The human chains by the Pakistani brethren with the people of Kashmir were made at all seven bridges of Azad Kashmir, linking Pakistan to Kashmir, including Kohala, Holar, Bararkot, Dhalkot, Azad Pattan, Dhan Galli and Mangla bridge over various Kashmir rivers falling in Pakistan.
The resolution passed by the GB Assembly
On Tuesday, the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly passed a unanimous resolution against India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated its unwavering support for the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people. Minister Ghulam Muhammad read out the resolution, which was proposed by ministries and opposition and government members. It reaffirmed that Kashmiris had never accepted Indian authority and referred to India’s October 27, 1947, attack as a “black day” in history.
