Kashmiris observe Black Day to send a message of rejecting India’s illegal occupation of their homeland
ISLAMABAD, Oct 27 (SABAH): Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and world over observed Black Day on Sunday to send a message of rejecting India’s illegal occupation of their homeland.
Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Maqam on Sunday led a rally in the federal capital on the occasion of Kashmir Black Day to express solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Engineer Amir Muqam addressing the rally participant, reminded the people of October 27, 1947, when Indian forces entered Jammu and Kashmir illegally, stating, “No Pakistani can forget this day.”
He honored the courage of Kashmiris who, after 77 years, continued their struggle for self-determination. He highlighted the sacrifices made, with over 97,000 martyrs, countless widows, and orphaned children. The minister expressed disappointment with international human rights organizations, calling on the United Nations to address what he termed as genocide in Kashmir.
Engineer Amir Maqam urged the UN to fulfill its commitment to resolve the Kashmir issue per its own resolutions, allowing Kashmiris their right to self-determination.
He said Pakistan has always been a staunch advocate of this indigenous right of Kashmiris living in IIOJK and has always supported them in this just struggle.
He stated that recent elections in occupied Kashmir revealed the reality of India’s narrative and urged India to consider this election as a referendum against its rule.
Commending Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for raising the Kashmir and Palestine issues at the UN General Assembly in September 2024, Amir Maqam reassured that Pakistan will continue to support Kashmir’s political, diplomatic, and moral cause until Kashmiris achieve their right to self-determination.
He also praised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Information for their efforts in organizing and highlighting this important day.
Apart from other people, Chairman Parliamentary Kashmir Committee Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, members Kashmir committee Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, Anjum Aqeel Khan, senior leaders of All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter Mehmood Ahmed Sagar and Mohammad Farooq Rahmani also addressed the rally.
It was on October 27, 1947 that Indian troops invaded Jammu and Kashmir in blatant violation of the Partition Plan and occupied region against the will of the Kashmiri people.
The day was marked by a complete shutdown in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Protest marches, rallies, and seminars were held in Pakistan and across the globe.
In Azad Kashmir, protest marches, rallies and seminars were held at all the Districts and Tehsil headquarters to condemn the Indian Army’s invasion on October 27, 1947 and the revocation of the special status of IIOJK by the BJP-led Hindutva government of India.
In the state capital Muzaffarabad, Kashmir Liberation Commission had arranged a protest demonstration followed by a rally.
Similarly, Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmiri Refugees, other Hurriyat organizations and political and religious parties arranged anti-India rallies and seminars to observe the Black Day.
President Azad Jammu and Kashmir Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry and Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq had appealed Kashmiris all over the world to register their protest against India.