Washington: The Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C., observed ‘Kashmir Black Day’ to demonstrate solidarity with the Kashmiri people against what it described as India’s illegal occupation and ongoing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Press Information Department, the event underscored Pakistan’s unwavering moral, political, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people’s pursuit of self-determination. Attendees included members of the Kashmiri diaspora, civil society representatives, students, media professionals, and others.

The program began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by special messages from Pakistan’s President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister. The messages reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to advocating for the Kashmir issue on global platforms until a United Nations Security Council-mandated plebiscite is conducted.

Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Pakistan’s envoy to the United States, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the historical and legal foundations of the Kashmiri self-determination movement. He asserted that the movement is integral to Pakistan’s national identity.

Ambassador Sheikh highlighted the legal battle over Kashmir since August 2019 and stressed the importance of international law and UN resolutions in resolving the conflict. He characterized the situation in Jammu and Kashmir as an unresolved issue from the partition of the subcontinent and called for a unified international strategy to address the dispute.

Prominent speakers such as Ali Raza Anar, Zulfiqar Ali Kazmi, and Muwahid Hussain Shah spoke on the humanitarian and political crisis in IIOJK, urging sustained international focus.

The event concluded with a documentary screening on the resilience of the Kashmiri people, and Ambassador Sheikh thanked participants for their support of IIOJK’s cause.