Muzaffarabad, Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, has labeled India as the sole perpetrator of terrorism in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), accusing it of engaging in state terrorism against the Kashmiri population. Speaking at the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Kashmir Solidarity Day, Kakar criticized India for disseminating a false narrative and attempting to undermine the legitimate struggle of Kashmiris by branding them as terrorists.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Kakar highlighted the distinction between terrorism and the legitimate struggle for independence, condemning India’s territorial claims over Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, Kakar asserted Pakistan’s readiness to defend itself against any aggression from India, challenging the neighboring country to test Pakistan’s military capabilities once more.

The Prime Minister urged India to respect the democratic principles it claims to uphold by granting the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination and restoring their fundamental human rights. He called for the release of political prisoners, the repeal of emergency laws, the reduction of military presence in Kashmir, and the allowance for peaceful gatherings and the exercise of self-determination rights by the Kashmiri people.

Kakar also demanded that India permit unrestricted access to IIOJK for UN and OIC observers, international media, and human rights organizations to independently assess and report on the human rights situation. He condemned the illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, by India in IIOJK as violations of international law, including the UN Charter and the 4th Geneva Convention.

Kashmir Solidarity Day, observed annually on February 5, symbolizes Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination and honors the sacrifices made by Kashmiris over the past seventy-six years. Kakar reiterated Pakistan’s stance that a lasting solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute can only be achieved in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The Prime Minister’s speech underscored the ongoing campaign by India to suppress the Kashmiri people through extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and custodial torture, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to providing moral, diplomatic, and political support for Kashmir’s cause.