Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Youm-e-Istehsal, observed on August 5 to mark the anniversary of India’s 2019 decision to revoke the region’s special constitutional status. In his message, the prime minister said the government and people of Pakistan stand firmly with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their struggle for justice and self-determination.
PM Shehbaz said that seven years after India’s unilateral move, the legal status of occupied Kashmir remains unchanged despite what he described as unlawful actions taken by New Delhi. He stated that these measures have failed to weaken the determination of the Kashmiri people and instead have led to greater repression, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, and attempts to alter the demographic composition of the disputed territory through legislative and administrative changes.
The prime minister expressed concern over the continued detention of Kashmiri political leaders, restrictions on civil liberties, and curbs on independent media in the occupied region. He said these developments have further worsened the human rights situation and remain a matter of serious concern for Pakistan and the international community.
Despite these challenges, PM Shehbaz praised the courage, resilience, and determination of the Kashmiri people, saying their peaceful struggle for the right to self-determination continues to inspire generations. He added that their commitment to justice and human dignity deserves the support of all those who believe in international law and fundamental human rights.
Calling the Kashmir dispute the principal unresolved issue affecting peace and stability in South Asia, the prime minister said lasting regional peace cannot be achieved through unilateral actions or the use of force. He stressed that the dispute must be resolved peacefully in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
PM Shehbaz urged the international community to move beyond statements of concern and play a meaningful role in resolving the Kashmir dispute. He also called on India to end alleged human rights violations in occupied Kashmir, reverse the measures introduced since August 5, 2019, repeal what he described as draconian laws, and create conditions that would allow the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination under the relevant UNSC resolutions.
Reaffirming that the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, the prime minister said Pakistan will continue to extend its diplomatic, political, and moral support to the Kashmiri people. He added that Islamabad will keep raising the Kashmir issue at every regional and international forum until a just and lasting solution is achieved.
