Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control & world over observe Youm-e-Istehsaal

ISLAMABAD/MUZAFFARABAD, August 05 (SABAH): Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and world over observed Youm-e-Istehsaal on Saturday to send a clear message to New Delhi government that Kashmiris outrightly reject actions taken by Modi-led Indian government on August 5, 2019 and illegal occupation of their homeland.

It is pertinent to mention that the Modi-led Hindutva regime on August 5, 2019, revoked Article 370 that granted special status to the internationally recognized disputed territory and imposed a brutal military siege.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, rallies, and protest demonstrations were held across the state to condemn illegal actions of India and atrocities against innocent Kashmiris.

In capital Muzaffarabad, a protest rally led by Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq was taken out from High Court Ground to the assembly gate amid pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. The participants demanded that India restore the special status of the Occupied Kashmir.

In connection with Youm-e-Istehsaal, a rally was held on the Constitution Avenue in Islamabad on Saturday to express solidarity with the oppressed Kashmir people and condemn the Indian illegal steps of 5th August in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). 

The rally led by Adviser to PM on Kashmir Affairs Chaudhry Qamar Zaman Kaira was taken out from Radio Pakistan Chowk and culminated at D-Chowk.

The Secretary Foreign Affairs Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, the leadership of APHC AJK chapter and people belonging to different walks of life participated in the rally.

They raised full throated slogans in support of Pakistan and the Kashmiri people. They were also carrying banners inscribed with slogans in support of Kashmiri people and against the Indian oppression.

Speaking to the participants of the rally at D-Chowk, Adviser on Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira paid glowing tributes to the sacrifices of Kashmiri people. He said the Indian occupation forces have been committing oppression and atrocities in the occupied territory over the last 75 years but they have failed to weaken the resolve of Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination.

The Adviser reaffirmed Pakistan’s abiding commitment to Kashmir cause and urged the international community to fulfill the promises made with the Kashmiri people for right to self-determination.

Qamar Zaman Kaira said the present government has forcefully raised Kashmir dispute at all the international forums and during bilateral meetings with the leadership of other countries.

Meanwhile President Dr. Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan would continue to be the voice of its Kashmiri brothers and sisters, who have been making invaluable sacrifices and will extend all possible support for the fullest realization of their legitimate rights.

In his message on the Youm-e-Istehsal, he said that we have no doubt that durable peace and stability in South Asia can only be achieved through a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

In his separate message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan will continue to lend its unstinted moral, political and diplomatic support to the rightful and just cause of the freedom struggle of the Kashmiri people.

He said that it is Pakistan’s abiding commitment and promise to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters that we will echo their voices, at every forum until the world takes action and urges India to end its human rights violations and forcible occupation of IIOJK.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged the international community to demand an end to India’s gross and widespread human rights violations in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

In his message on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsaal, he also called for reversal of India’s unilateral and illegal actions of 5th August 2019, repeal of draconian laws and implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.

The Foreign Minister said as a party to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, Pakistan stands ready to play its role to ensure a free and impartial plebiscite in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. He said our strong and steadfast moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people will continue till the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination.

 The Foreign Minister said Pakistan wants good relations with all its neighbors, including India. However, good relations can only be achieved through dispute resolution and not through dispute denial. He said the durable peace in South Asia remains contingent upon the settlement of Jammu and Kashmir dispute.