Pakistan’s civil and military leadership condemn India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir as the nation observes Youm-e-Istehsal. It marks six years since India revoked Article 370 and divided the region into two union territories.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains a core element of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He urged the international community to intervene, halt India’s human rights abuses, and reverse its illegal actions of August 5, 2019. “We reaffirm the unwavering solidarity of the Pakistani people with our Kashmiri sisters and brothers,” the prime minister stated.
In addition, he strongly criticised India’s efforts to alter the region’s demographics and political structure. These changes, he said, defy international law and go against UN Security Council resolutions. According to him, Youm-e-Istehsal is a reminder of India’s rejection of peace and reliance on brutality.
He further warned that India’s occupation strategy increases regional instability. Therefore, it relies on long-standing state terrorism and repression. “The brave Kashmiri people have endured this brutality with incredible dignity,” Shehbaz noted.
Moreover, the prime minister saluted the Kashmiri people’s resilience and sacrifice. He emphasised that attempts to silence their legitimate leadership have failed. “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 added.
President Asif Ali Zardari, in his message, emphasised the urgent need for a peaceful settlement. He stated that this must be based on relevant UN resolutions and the Kashmiri people’s aspirations. According to him, the sixth anniversary of India’s unlawful move remains a grim reminder of its intent to suppress Kashmiri identity.
He explained that India’s 2019 action removed IIOJK’s special status to alter its disputed nature. Additionally, it sought to weaken the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. “India scrapped the special status of IIOJK and bifurcated it into two so-called ‘Union Territories,” Zardari said.
Furthermore, he highlighted various measures India used to change Kashmir’s demography. These include manipulating electoral constituencies, issuing domicile certificates to outsiders, and allowing non-Kashmiris voting rights. New laws on property and land ownership were also introduced.
He added that more power has been shifted to the Indian-appointed Lieutenant Governor. Consequently, this move undermines local governance. According to him, such steps only deepen the political crisis in the occupied territory.
Meanwhile, the armed forces also released a joint statement via ISPR. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, along with the chiefs of the Navy and Air Force, reaffirmed support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. They declared that this right is enshrined in international law and UN resolutions.
“The continued illegal occupation of IIOJK by Indian security forces, characterised by an unrelenting military siege, systemic human rights violations, and demographic engineering, constitutes a grave breach of international norms,” the statement read. It also warned that India’s actions and aggressive stance increase instability and suffering.
Therefore, the military leadership stressed that peace in South Asia remains impossible without resolving the Kashmir dispute. They paid tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK and assured continued support. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Kashmiri people,” the statement concluded.
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