Islamabad — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the international community to recognize the need for a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, reiterating Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri people on the occasion of Right to Self-Determination Day.
In a message marking the day, the Prime Minister said the commemoration serves as a reminder of the historic commitment made by the United Nations Security Council to uphold the right to self-determination for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He recalled the resolution adopted by the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) on 5 January 1949, which called for a free and impartial plebiscite under UN supervision to decide the future of the territory.
Unfulfilled Commitments
The Prime Minister noted that despite the acceptance of these principles by both India and Pakistan, the plebiscite has never been held. He said the commitment remains unimplemented due to India’s continued occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sharif highlighted that the people of IIOJK have endured decades of hardship, which intensified after India’s unilateral measures of 5 August 2019 aimed at altering the demographic and political landscape of the region. He pointed to restrictions on political leadership, curbs on media, arbitrary detentions, and the outlawing of political organizations as evidence of ongoing repression.
Pakistan’s Support for Kashmiris
The Prime Minister emphasized that despite coercive measures, India has failed to suppress the will of the Kashmiri people or their demand for self-determination. He praised their resilience and courage, assuring that Pakistan will continue to extend moral, political, and diplomatic support at all available platforms.
Sharif said durable peace in South Asia depends on resolving the Kashmir dispute in line with UN resolutions. He called on the international community to press India to halt human rights violations, reverse unilateral actions taken in 2019, repeal restrictive laws, and allow Kashmiris to exercise their right to self-determination.
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