Islamabad, President Dr. Arif Alvi emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, in line with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. This statement was part of his message on the occasion of the Right to Self-Determination Day, observed annually on January 5.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the President’s message highlighted Pakistan’s unwavering moral, political, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri cause. He reminded that this day marks the anniversary of the 1949 United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) resolution, which advocated for a free and impartial plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir under United Nations supervision.

President Alvi stressed the significance of the right to self-determination as a fundamental principle of international law, citing its affirmation in key United Nations treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. He noted that this principle has been consistently supported by the UN General Assembly in its annual resolutions.

The President expressed concern over the past 76 years of what he termed as India’s occupation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), describing it as a period marked by repression. He specifically referred to the recent judgment of the Indian Supreme Court on December 11, 2023, concerning the status of the disputed territory, viewing it as an attempt by India to consolidate its control over IIOJK.

Alvi criticized India’s tactics in IIOJK, accusing it of denying the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination and to live with freedom and dignity. He concluded his message by calling on the international community to remember its responsibility towards the Kashmiri people. He urged the United Nations to fulfill its commitments made 75 years ago and to support the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination.