ISLAMABAD: The nat­ion will observe Kashmir Solidarity Day today (Mon­day) with a renewed commitment to support the just struggle of Kashmiris for their inalienable right to self-determination, as enshr­ined in the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The people and the government of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir observe Solidarity Day every year not only to renew their love and affection with the people of India-held Jammu and Kashmir but also to reiterate their commitment and dedication to the liberation of Kashmir from Indian subjugation.

People from different walks of life will hold demonstrations and form human chains across the country to infuse new spirit in the Kashmiris, who have been fighting for their freedom for decades.

President Dr Arif Alvi and caretaker Prime Mini­ster Anwarul Haq Kakar in their separate messages issued on the eve of Kashmir Solidarity Day, reiterated the nation’s unwavering support for the Kashmir cause and the people of India-held Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr Alvi said the right to self-determination is a cardinal principle of international law but regrettably, the Kashmiri people have not been able to exercise this inalienable right.

“Today, the IIOJK [Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir] is one of the most militarised zones in the world. Kashmiris are living in an environment of fear and intimidation,” the President Secretariat’s Press Wing quoted the president as saying in a press release.

The president said that the Indian occupation forces were engaged in indiscriminate use of force against civilians and political activists and human rights defenders are facing arbitrary detentions and confiscation of their properties.

Dr Alvi reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to lend unstinted moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people till the realisation of their right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

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In his message, PM Kakar said that India’s illegal and unilateral actions of Aug 5, 2019, in held Kashmir are a blatant violation of international law including the UN Charter, 4th Geneva Convention and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

“India has since been engaged in efforts to further entrench these illegal measures through a series of steps aimed at altering the demographic structure and political landscape of IIOJK,” the prime minister said.

He said the Kashmir Solidarity Day is also an occasion to pay rich tribute to sacrifices made by Kashmiri brothers and sisters over the last 76 years.

Mr Kakar said that Pakistan had consistently maintained that a lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute was possible only in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Pakistan will continue to extend its unstinted moral, diplomatic and political support for this just cause, the Prime Minister Office Media Wing quoted the prime minister as saying in a press release.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2024