ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to supporting the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. In separate statements, they emphasized their ongoing diplomatic, political, and moral backing for this cause during Youm-e-Ilhaq-e-Pakistan, a day commemorating the 1947 resolution by the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference in Srinagar advocating the region’s accession to Pakistan.

According to Radio Pakistan: the President and Prime Minister highlighted the enduring historical, cultural, and spiritual ties between Pakistan and the residents of Jammu and Kashmir. They pointed out that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains unresolved, despite United Nations Security Council resolutions that acknowledge the Kashmiri right to self-determination. The leaders expressed concern over the persistent denial of this right and ongoing human rights issues in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The President and Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s continuous support for a peaceful and equitable resolution to the Kashmir conflict and called on the international community, particularly the United Nations, to uphold its responsibility by ensuring the realization of the Kashmiri people’s self-determination aspirations. They acknowledged the resilience and sacrifices of the people in IIOJK in their quest for legitimate rights, urging global recognition of their struggle for self-determination as crucial for regional peace and security.