Today, August 5, Pakistanis and Kashmiris around the world are commemorating Youm-e-Istehsal to condemn the Narendra Modi-led Hindutva Indian government’s illegal behavior on that day in 2019.
Hundreds of events have been arranged across the country by the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan in collaboration with the provincial governments to pay tribute to Kashmiris and condemn India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir, including seminars, protest rallies, screenings of videos documentaries, and photo exhibitions exposing Indian brutalities on Kashmiri people.
At 9:00 a.m., a minute of silence was observed in memory of Kashmiris who died in the liberation struggle.
A walk was conducted at Constitution Avenue in Islamabad, where Advisor on Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira and the leadership of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Kashmir branch addressed the participants.
President Dr. Arif Alvi stated in a statement that Pakistan will continue to be the voice of its Kashmiri brothers and sisters who have made tremendous sacrifices, and will provide all possible support for the full realisation of their legal rights.
“We have no doubt that lasting peace and stability in South Asia can only be achieved through a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people,” the president said in a message commemorating Youm-e-Istehsal, which is observed every year on August 5.
He claimed that on August 5, 2019, India launched illegal and unilateral activities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) with the goal of disempowering, disenfranchising, and dispossessing the Kashmiri people in their own territory.
Pakistan, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, will continue to provide unwavering moral, political, and diplomatic support to the lawful and noble cause of the Kashmiri people’s independence struggle.
“It is Pakistan’s abiding commitment and promise to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters that we will echo their voices, at every forum, until the world takes action and urges India to end its egregious human rights violations and forcible occupation of IIOJK, undo all unilateral and illegal measures it has taken since 5 August 2019 and take necessary steps to carry out a fair and impartial plebiscite,” he said in a message on the Youm-e-Istehsal to be observed
Qamar Zaman Kaira, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, briefed the prime minister on the planned activities for Yaum-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, which will be observed on August 5, including seminars and awareness drives, as well as ceremonies at Pakistan’s diplomatic missions around the world.
Foreign Secretary Dr Asad Majeed informed Islamabad-based diplomatic missions on the latest developments in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Friday, ahead of the ‘Youm-e-Istehsal’ on August 5.
He emphasised the legal, security, and human rights components of the situation in IIOJK, according to the Foreign Office.
Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, said to the National Assembly on Friday that Pakistan has consistently emphasised the issue of the people of India’s Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) at all international forums.
In response to a question during Question Hour, he stated that all of the country’s political parties are united on the Kashmir issue.
China restated its clear and consistent attitude on the Kashmir problem ahead of “Yaum-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir,” calling for a proper and peaceful resolution of the long-standing issue in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Security Council resolutions, and bilateral agreements.
“China’s stance on the Kashmir issue is consistent and unambiguous.” This is a historical dispute between India and Pakistan that should be resolved properly and peacefully in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and bilateral agreements,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said ahead of the fourth anniversary of India’s unilateral and illegal act in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
People in Khanewal will show their support for their Kashmiri brothers and sisters on Saturday, August 5, by participating in various programmes including seminars and rallies as part of the Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir.
The major celebration would be attended by people from all walks of life, including traders, journalists, writers, teachers, students, religious leaders, and social workers. As special guests, DPO Rana Omar Farooq and ADCR Azooba Azeem will attend the ceremony.
