Pakistan Stands with Kashmir: Unwavering Support for Rights
On a crisp February morning, the streets of Pakistan resonated with the chants of solidarity with Kashmir. The nation observed Kashmir Solidarity Day on Wednesday, a day dedicated to reaffirming unwavering support for the Kashmiri people’s quest for self-determination, echoing the principles outlined in United Nations resolutions.
Throughout the country, from bustling cities to remote towns, Pakistanis came together to stand in unity with their Kashmiri brethren. The day, which is commemorated annually on February 5, witnessed a multitude of activities, from solidarity walks to the formation of human chains, symbolizing the unbreakable bond between Pakistan and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
A Day of Resolute Action and Reflection
In a rare display of national unity, the government and people of Pakistan, led by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, rallied behind the residents of IIOJK in their struggle for liberation from Indian subjugation. Rallies reverberated through the streets of various cities, culminating in a poignant event at Constitution Avenue in Islamabad, where the spirit of solidarity burned brightest.
At 10 am, a moment of profound silence enveloped the nation as Pakistanis paid homage to the sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs, their memories immortalized by the wailing sirens that echoed across the land. In Muzaffarabad, the IIOJK Legislative Assembly convened a special session to express unwavering solidarity with the Kashmiris, while human chains emerged in strategic locations like Mangla, Kohala, Bararkot, Azad Pattan, and Holar, underscoring the unbreakable bond between Pakistan and IIOJK.
United Voices for Justice and Peace
President Asif Ali Zardari’s impassioned plea to the international community resonated deeply, urging global leaders to uphold their moral obligation and assist the Kashmiris in their struggle for autonomy. He called upon the United Nations to honor its long-standing commitment, made 78 years ago, to grant the region the right to self-determination, a promise that remains unfulfilled.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the intrinsic value of the day in reaffirming Pakistan’s unequivocal support for the Kashmiri cause. “The right to self-determination is not a mere slogan but a fundamental tenet of international law,” he asserted, underscoring Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to standing by the Kashmiri people in their quest to shape their destiny.
In a stern rebuke to India’s oppressive tactics in IIOJK, PM Shehbaz condemned the illegal measures undertaken by the Indian government, denouncing the stifling of political dissent and rampant human rights abuses. He called for concerted international pressure on India to allow the Kashmiris to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination, highlighting that sustainable peace in South Asia hinges on respecting the aspirations of the Kashmiri populace.
The Pakistani military also lent its unequivocal support to the Kashmiri cause, with General Sahir Shamshad, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and the services chiefs standing in solidarity with the beleaguered people of IIOJK. Condemning the egregious human rights violations plaguing the region, including extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detentions, the military issued a firm call to action to the international community, urging decisive steps to enforce UN Security Council resolutions and uphold justice.
As the sun set on Kashmir Solidarity Day, the echoes of unity and resilience lingered in the air, a poignant reminder of the unyielding spirit that binds Pakistan and the Kashmiri people in their shared pursuit of freedom and justice. United in purpose and fortified by a collective resolve, they march forward, undeterred by the challenges that lie ahead, with hope as their compass and solidarity as their shield.
