Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership on Tuesday marked Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir by condemning India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir, reaffirming the state’s unwavering solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
On Aug. 5, 2019, India unilaterally abrogated the special constitutional status of IIOJK, revoking Article 370 of its constitution and splitting the region into two union territories. The decision prompted mass protests in Kashmir and condemnations from Pakistan, which has accused Delhi of trying to alter the demographics of the disputed region and violating international norms.
In a statement on Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as a key pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He urged the international community to play a role to halt Indian human rights violations in IIOJK and reverse its unilateral and illegal actions of Aug. 5, 2019.
He also called on the global community to play a role in pushing India to repeal draconian laws imposed in IIOJK and implement relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions on the disputed region. “On this Youm-e-Istehsal, the Government of Pakistan and I reaffirm the unwavering solidarity of the Pakistani people with our Kashmiri sisters and brothers,” he said. “We reiterate our strongest condemnation of India’s illegal and unilateral actions taken since Aug. 5, 2019 to alter the demographic structure and political landscape of IIOJK, in complete defiance of international law, norms and principles, as well as the relevant resolutions of the U.N. Security Council,” he added.
Dubbing Youm-e-Istehsal a sobering reminder of India’s rejection of peace and stability, as well as its investment in brutality and unilateralism, the premier said the continued denial of the basic human rights, dignity and identity of Kashmiris living under India’s occupation was a recipe for regional instability. Maintaining India’s occupation cannot be sustained through normal means, he said Delhi had ramped up its nearly eight-decade regime of state terrorism and oppression to retain its control.
“The brave Kashmiri people have endured this brutality with incredible dignity. Today is a day for all Pakistanis, and all peace-loving people of the world, to salute the unwavering resilience and spirit of sacrifice of the Kashmiri people,” he said, lamenting Delhi’s ongoing efforts to silence the genuine leadership of the Kashmiri people.
“The imprisonment of Kashmiri leaders and activists, including Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik and Masarrat Alam Bhatt, will never dim the resolve of our Kashmiri sisters and brothers,” he wrote. “The continued defiance of Kashmiris in an environment of unending intimidation across the illegal Indian occupation is more proof of the indomitable courage of the Kashmiri people,” he added.
Zardari Seeks Dispute Resolution
In a separate message, President Asif Ali Zardari said Youm-e-Istehsal underscored the need to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute per relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
“Today, the sixth anniversary of India’s illegal and unilateral actions of Aug. 5, 2019 in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is being somberly observed,” he said, recalling India had revoked the region’s special constitutional status and bifurcated it into two union territories.
Indian authorities had taken several steps to change the region’s demographic structure and political landscape during the last six years, he said, adding this included gerrymandering of electoral constituencies, allowing the addition of non-Kashmiris to electoral rolls, issuance of new domicile certificates, expanding powers of governors and introducing new laws for land ownership.
Human rights violations
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a joint statement by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff. It said the country’s armed forces fully supported the legitimate and ongoing struggle of the Kashmiri people for their inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in international law and U.N. Security Council resolutions.
“The continued illegal occupation of IIOJK by Indian security forces—characterized by an unrelenting military siege, systemic human rights violations, and demographic engineering—constitutes a grave breach of international norms and remains a matter of deep concern,” it said. “India’s repressive actions, coupled with its belligerent posture and incendiary rhetoric, serve only to exacerbate regional instability and perpetuate human suffering,” it added.
The statement stressed that peace in South Asia requires the just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as per the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and relevant U.N. resolutions. The armed forces also paid solemn tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK and reiterated their enduring commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Kashmiri people in their just and rightful struggle for freedom.