Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his message on ‘Kashmir Black Day’ October 27 expressed solidarity with all Kashmiri brothers and sisters. Pakistan will always stand by you, no matter what cost. We are your voice to world. Our support and solidarity is abiding.

We will not rest until you secure your legitimate right to self-determination. Day is not far away! he hoped. On October 27, 1947 India forcibly landed its troops in Jammu and Kashmir and to forcibly and illegally occupy territory ever since. To perpetuate its forcible occupation of IIOJK, India has amassed more than 900,000 armed troops in territory.

Torture, illegal detentions, implication in fictitious cases, indiscriminate use of force under impunity of draconian laws and systemised campaigns to rob Kashmiris of their distinct cultural and religious identities mark reality of India’s brutal occupation of occupied territory.

Prominent Hurriyat leaders have been detained illegally or placed under house arrest. India is also making reprehensible attempts at bringing about demographic changes in IIOJK by issuing fake domiciles, changing property laws, gerrymandering electoral districts, creating new seats for Hindu-dominated regions in state legislature and adding non-Kashmiri residents to electoral rolls.  History is also witness that India acted insincerely all along, and completely reneged on these solemn commitments.

Jammu and Kashmir dispute has been on United Nations’ agenda for over seven and a half decades. Pakistan has remained faithful to its commitments to Kashmiris and has also consistently raised its voice on continuing grave human rights violations in IIOJK. 

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 27 2022

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