Washington DC: The Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC hosted an event titled “Youm-e-Istehsal” (Day of Exploitation) to mark the fifth anniversary of India’s controversial actions on August 5, 2019, in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The event drew a diverse audience, including academics, human rights activists, diplomats, and members of the Pakistani-American community, to reaffirm Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.

According to Press Information Department, special messages from Pakistan’s President and Prime Minister were delivered, alongside a video message from the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, asserting Pakistan’s steadfast diplomatic, political, and moral support for the Kashmiri people. The Charge d’Affaires at the Pakistani Embassy, Dr. Fareha Bugti, emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Kashmiri struggle and condemned India’s revocation of IIOJK’s special status, which has led to increased military presence, communication blackouts, and demographic changes in the region.

The gathering featured poignant testimonies from several advocates and experts, including Mushaal Hussein Mullick, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Dr. Mohsin Ansari, Col. Wesley Martin, Dr. Imtiaz Khan, Oussama Jammal, and Zahid Bukhari, who highlighted the ongoing human rights challenges faced by the Kashmiri people. The speakers called for international intervention to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

The event also included a photo exhibition depicting human rights abuses in Kashmir and a documentary titled “Unheard: The Invisible Trauma of Kashmiris,” which illustrated the Kashmiris’ continuous struggle for autonomy and freedom. The assembly underscored the urgent need for peaceful resolution and urged India to halt its human rights violations in the region.