Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day

Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed on Thursday to express support for the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in their struggle for the right to self-determination.

The day draws the attention of the international community to the Indian atrocities in the Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

To mark the occasion, solidarity walks, seminars and exhibitions are being organised across Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

A one-minute silence was also observed across the country at 10:00am to pay homage to the martyrs of the Kashmir freedom movement.

In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed their unwavering moral, diplomatic and political support for Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their just cause to achieve the right to self-determination as enshrined in the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

In their separate messages, they urged the international community to move beyond mere expressions of concern for the Kashmiri people and persuade India to stop the human rights violations in IIOJK.

In his message, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged the international community to take decisive actions to address the worsening human rights situation in IIOJK.

He said the world should ensure accountability for India's illegal and unilateral actions, persuade India to implement the UNSC resolutions and allow the Kashmiri people their promised right to self-determination.

The DPM said India's persistent defiance undermines the United Nations Charter, the relevant UNSC resolutions and the Fourth Geneva Convention.