Istanbul, A notable gathering was convened in Istanbul today to observe the Kashmir Black Day, marking the day in 1947 when India dispatched troops to Srinagar, thus commencing its occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. The convention, drawing representatives from myriad international youth associations and NGOs, emphasized the longstanding conflict and called for justice for the people of Kashmir.
According to a news release by Press International Department, the assembly was spearheaded by TUGVA and witnessed the presence of Ambassador Dr. Yousaf Junaid alongside international student organizations and civil society groups. Among the many attendees were AGD, MUSDAV, Genc Askon, IHH Genc, Morroco Dernek, Fatih Mezunlar Dernek, Pakistan Dayanisma Platformu, Yemen Students Organization, PAKSTURK, Tunus Ogrenciler Birligi, Genc Hareket, and more.
In his address, Ambassador Dr. Yousaf Junaid reflected on the enduring conflicts in both Palestine and Kashmir, pointing out the shortcomings of the international system in safeguarding the rights of the oppressed. He emphasized that these situations exemplify the stark realities where the marginalized remain subjugated, while the powerful act with seeming impunity.
Dr. Mustafa Faisal, Secretary General of the International Islamic Federation of Student Organization (IIFSO), accentuated the pivotal role of justice in global matters. He passionately appealed to the international fraternity to not only acknowledge, but also take decisive measures against the pronounced human rights infractions in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He further stressed the necessity for the world to facilitate a just resolution for the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in alignment with the pertinent Security Council Resolutions.
Vice President of TUGVA, Muhammad Malik, succinctly captured the essence of the gathering with his statement, emphasizing that injustice in one corner of the world imperils justice universally. He ardently advocated for the Kashmiri populace to be accorded their due right to self-determination, as assured by the global community.
Concluding the event, Ambassador Junaid reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, moral, and diplomatic backing for the Kashmiris in their pursuit of freedom. Expressing gratitude towards the Turkish government and its citizenry, he accentuated the significance of Turkey’s supportive stance on the Kashmir issue. The solidarity demonstrated by Turkey, he remarked, amplifies the resilience of the countless oppressed inhabitants of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and pushes the momentum towards the actualization of their self-determination right.