Kashmiris observe January 5 as Self-determination Day with renewed resolve
SRINAGAR/MUZAFFARABAD, Jan 5 (SABAH): Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and across the globe observed January 5 as the Right to Self-Determination Day, pledging to continue their struggle for freedom through a plebiscite as guaranteed by the United Nations.
According to media reports, the observance commemorates the United Nations Security Council resolution passed on this day in 1949, affirming the Kashmiris’ right to decide their future through a UN-sponsored plebiscite.
Events including rallies, seminars, and conferences are being held worldwide to remind the UN of its responsibility to implement its resolutions and alleviate the suffering of Kashmiris enduring Indian oppression for decades.
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has urged the global community, particularly the United Nations, to fulfill its promise to allow the Kashmiri people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination.
Its statement highlights the worsening situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K), where the BJP-led Indian regime has intensified state terrorism since August 5, 2019. Arbitrary arrests, economic hardships, and denial of basic rights have plunged the region into despair.
Illegally detained Chairman All Party Hurriyat Conference, Masrrat Alam Butt, in a message from the infamous Tihar Jail in New Delhi appealed to Kashmiris living all over the world to fully observe Self-Determination Day and make it clear to the international community that Kashmiris will never compromise on their right to self-determination.
He said that India’s ambitions are the main obstacle in resolving the Kashmir issue and providing self-determination to Kashmiris. Masrrat Alam Butt said that the non-implementation of the resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council on January 5, 1949 is a big question mark on the existence of the international organization.
A grand rally was organized in Muzaffarabad on the occasion of Self-Determination Day by All-Party Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir branch. The rally was attended by leaders of the Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir branch, leaders of various political parties of Azad Kashmir, activists, law students and people from other walks of life besides a large number of common people.
Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, Speaker Legislative Assembly Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Opposition Leader Khawaja Farooq Ahmed, Pir Muhammad Mazhar Saeed Shah, Javed Iqbal, Abdul Majid Khan, Sardar Javed Ayub, convener All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir branch Ghulam Muhammad Safi and others addressed on the occasion.
Addressing the rally, Chaudhry Anwarul Haq said that we have to depend on our own strength to get the freedom of Kashmir. Dreaming of freedom through the United Nations is now a dream for Kashmiris as it is nothing but despair.
He said Armed Forces of Pakistan are always ready to protect Azad Jammu and Kashmir, adding in clear terms they announce that no formula is acceptable for the partition of Kashmir. It is clear in the Holy Quran that Jews and Hindus cannot be friends of Muslims, now is the time to stand firm, he added.
Chaudhry Anwarul Haq said that Pakistan is our elder brother and it has its own international responsibilities, adding we have to move forward together. He noted construction and development is not a substitute for freedom, adding political chaos will lead us to destruction.