Islamabad: Pakistani diplomatic missions worldwide marked Kashmir Black Day, demonstrating solidarity with the Kashmiris in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and advocating for their self-determination rights.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the embassies organized various events including seminars, photo exhibitions, and video documentaries to underscore the long-standing struggle of the Kashmiri people for their self-determination right, guaranteed by the United Nations. These events, attended by government figures, diplomats, notable local figures, and media representatives, also brought attention to the ongoing conflicts in Palestine and Lebanon, calling for adherence to UN resolutions and decisions by the International Court of Justice.
In China, the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing held a special event where messages from Pakistan’s top leadership, including the President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister, were read, condemning the Indian atrocities in Kashmir and reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Kashmiri cause for freedom.
Ambassador Khalil Hashmi of Pakistan to China highlighted the severe human rights violations in IIOJK, including extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances. He criticized the recent elections in the region as a sham and emphasized the need for a UN-sponsored plebiscite as per Security Council resolutions.
In France, the Pakistani Embassy conducted a seminar where Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad spoke on the critical need for a peaceful resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He described the historical backdrop of the dispute and the intensified sufferings of the Kashmiris post-August 2019 due to India’s unilateral actions.
The event also featured a speech by AJandK Minister for Small Industries and Trade Kausar Taqdees Gillani, who highlighted the dire situation faced by Kashmiri women and children and called for international policy actions consistent with UNSC resolutions to liberate the Kashmiris from Indian dominance.
In Belgium, the Pakistan Embassy’s event drew attention to the resilience and ongoing challenges faced by the Kashmiri people, with significant participation from the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora, as well as media representatives.
These global observances by Pakistan’s diplomatic missions underscore the country’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people and its call to the international community to recognize and act against the human rights violations occurring in the region.