KATHMANDU, Nov 1: The Pakistan Embassy in Kathmandu organized a talk program on Monday on “Consequences of Illegal Occupation” to commemorate the ‘Kashmir Black Day’.

According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Embassy, 75 years ago, on October 27, 1947 India deployed troops to Srinagar in an unlawful intervention and illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Since then Pakistan and Kashmiris observe this day as ‘Kashmir Black Day’.

Prominent politicians, analysts, scholars and eminent journalists participated in the event. During the program, messages of the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan were read out for the audience present at the Embassy of Pakistan in Nepal.

“President Arif Alvi paid tribute to the Kashmiris for their resilience in their just struggle for the right to self-determination. President Alvi highlighted Indian state terrorism in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), human right violations and illegal and unilateral actions to deprive the Kashmiri people of their economic, political and land rights and change of demography of the IIOJK, the statement reads.

Similarly, according to the statement, Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Shareef reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolute support for the Kashmiri brothers and sisters. He reiterated Pakistan’s solidarity with the Kashmiri people until the realization of their “legitimate and inalienable right to self-determination”, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. PM Shareef demanded immediate lifting of the military siege and communications blockade as well as rescinding of India’s illegal and unilateral actions in IIOJK in violation of numerous UNSC resolutions.

Foreign Minister Bilwal Bhutto Zardari in his message highlighted that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute has been a battle of hope against overwhelming odds, of courage against fear, and sacrifice against tyranny and paid rich tributes to all the martyrs for their ultimate sacrifice and to their families for their resolve and perseverance.

The Charge d’Affaires Umair Ali recalled the genesis of the long-festering dispute and numerous UNSC resolutions which enshrined the promise not just from the United Nation but from the international community to the people of Jammu and Kashmir about their right to self-determination. “The non-implementation of these resolutions had subjected several generations of the people of IIOJK to grave injustices, sufferings and jeopardized the peace and stability of the entire region”, the statement quoted Ali as saying.

Speaking at the event, participants expressed serious concerns on the media/information blockade, use of pellet guns, arrest of Kashmiri leadership and other inhuman actions of the Indian government which have been well documented in UN High Commissioner on Human Rights reports. Miscellaneous reportings of Amnesty International and other international human right organizations were also taken into account and India’s repressive measures in the disputed territory were criticized.

The participants had a consensus that the unresolved status of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute has been the biggest challenge to peace in South Asia.

 
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