Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar declared on Monday that India’s actions on August 5, 2019, which revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, blatantly violated United Nations Security Council resolutions, international laws, and the Fourth Geneva Convention.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Dar addressed participants of a walk held to mark Yaum-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A by India. He emphasized that these unilateral steps aimed at undermining the rights of the Kashmiri people were acts of folly.

Highlighting the deep historical, geographical, and religious bonds between Pakistan and Kashmir, Dar stated that the people of Pakistan could not detach themselves from the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He criticized India for denying access to human rights bodies, urging it to allow these organizations to witness the human rights abuses occurring in the territory.

Addressing a diverse gathering of federal ministers, politicians, government officers, and civilians, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to raising the Kashmir issue on all international platforms, including the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the D-8. He drew parallels with the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, underscoring Pakistan’s advocacy for oppressed peoples globally.

Dar also highlighted Pakistan’s efforts in appointing an OIC special envoy on Islamophobia, emphasizing the country’s proactive stance on human rights issues. He urged India to conduct a plebiscite in Kashmir to allow the people to exercise their right to self-determination, asserting that the revocation of Kashmir’s special status could not quash the Kashmiris’ aspirations for freedom.

Concluding his speech with prayers for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination and freedom, Dar led the gathering in chanting “Kashmir banay ga Pakistan” (Kashmir will become Pakistan).

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Qazi led the walk, starting from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and culminating at D Chowk. The event was attended by officers and personnel of the foreign ministry, along with participants from various walks of life. They carried flags and banners condemning the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A and highlighting the ongoing occupation and brutalities in IIOJK.