Pak Embassy organizes program to mark Kashmir Black Day

KATHMANDU: Pakistani Embassy in Kathmandu organized a special event at Chancery on the occasion of Kashmir Black Day, titled “27 October – Beginning of an Age of Ruthless Occupation”, marking the landing of Indian occupation troops at Srinagar airport 77 years ago on this day.

This illegal intervention and ensuing occupation of Jammu & Kashmir has caused protracted and painful sufferings on the people of Indian Illegally Occupied

Jammu and Kashmir (IIoJK). Prominent analysts, scholars, journalists and former ambassadors participated in the event.

During the programme, messages of the President, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister of Pakistan were read out, according to a statement issued by the Pakistani Embassy in Kathmandu.

In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari said that for decades, the people of IIOJK have endured brutal repression by Indian forces. Over the years, India has transformed IIOJK into one of the most militarised regions in the world. Thousands of innocent Kashmiris have been killed, while their legitimate leaders remain imprisoned, and dissenting voices are muzzled.

In his message, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif paid rich tribute to the Kashmiri people in their long and continued struggle for the right to self-determination. India’s successive steps to tighten its grip over IIOJK since 5 August 2019, is part of nefarious designs to undermine the disputed status of IIOJK and denying the Kashmiri people their democratic right to decide their own future, reads the statement.

Today, the Kashmiri people are enduring the most egregious and painful curbs on their daily lives and livelihoods. The Indian occupation forces act with impunity under draconian laws.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, in his message, said that while elections for the Legislative Assembly of IIOJK have recently been conducted, any such exercise, carried out under the framework of the Indian Constitution and amidst an overwhelming military presence, cannot be accepted in any way excercise of will. Pakistan remains committed to promoting peace in South Asia and seeks constructive relations with all its neighbours. However, lasting peace in the region cannot be realized without a just and peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Abrar H. Hashmi, Ambassador of Pakistan said that 27th October marks the day when Indian occupation forces landed in Srinagar in 1947, leading to an age of tribulation for the oppressed people of IIOJK. Recently held sham election in IIOJK is a failed exercise which does not exhibit the true wishes of the people with regard to their right of self-determination. Indian outright refusal to implement the UNSC resolutions is a stark reminder of its indifference to international calls for permanent resolution of the issue.

Speaking at the event, participants expressed their solidarity with the people of Kashmir. They explored the legal framework available for resolution of the Kashmir dispute, especially after revocation of Articles 370 and 35(A) in August 2019.

Indian obstinacy and other factors which are hindering the plebiscite in J&K. They also discussed the recently held farce election in IIOJK, which does not reflect the true aspiration of the oppressed people.

The participants emphasized that Kashmir issue should be duly recognized as festering flash point that requires immediate peaceful resolution by the world community when the world is already facing Ukraine-Russia conflict and escalating security situation in the Middle East owing to genocide in Gaza.