Pakistan and Kashmiris living on both sides of the Line of Control, as well as communities around the world, are observing Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir today to mark the seventh anniversary of India’s decision to revoke the special constitutional status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Across Pakistan, a one-minute silence was observed at 9am in tribute to the resilience and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people. Sirens were sounded, and traffic was halted for one minute as part of nationwide commemorative events.
The day commemorates India’s decision on 5 August 2019, when the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi revoked Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution, ending the special constitutional status previously granted to the internationally recognised disputed territory of IIOJK.
According to Pakistan’s official position, the move was made in violation of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions. It was followed by an extensive military lockdown, sweeping restrictions and heightened security measures across the territory.
Events held across Pakistan highlighted solidarity with the people of Kashmir and honoured what officials described as their unwavering determination, resilience and continued struggle.
Meanwhile, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has appealed to the Kashmiri people to observe Black Day on 5th August (today) to send a strong message to the international community that they reject India’s illegal occupation and the illegal measures imposed in the territory.
The APHC said the observance of Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir aimed to sensitize the international community about New Delhi’s brutal repression being carried out by its over one million occupation troops in the territory. It said that seven years of constant military siege and continued Indian state terrorism had wreaked havoc in the entire territory, which had been turned into a torture chamber under the Hindutva-driven BJP regime.
Other APHC leaders and parties in their statements issued in Srinagar reiterated that the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir do not accept the Narendra Modi-led Indian government’s August 5, 2019 actions and will continue their struggle until the Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant United Nations resolutions.
They urged the international community to take notice of India’s actions in the UN-recognized disputed territory and play its role in ensuring a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute. They maintained that lasting peace and stability in South Asia remain impossible without a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute in line with the UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
The APHC leaders also appealed to freedom-loving Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and around the world to observe Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir on August 5 with renewed resolve and unity.
Meanwhile, the APHC-AJK chapter has endorsed the Hurriyat Conference’s call to observe August 5 as Black Day against India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019.
In a statement issued in Islamabad, APHC-AJK Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi and other Hurriyat leaders said the observance would send a strong message to the international community that the Kashmiri people reject India’s imposed illegal measures imposed in blatant violation of the UN resolutions.
Ghulam Muhammad Safi said the abrogation of IIOJK’s special constitutional status was a direct assault on Kashmir’s distinct identity, culture, demographic composition and the fundamental rights of its people. He reaffirmed that the Kashmiri people would continue their just struggle until the realization of their UN-recognized right to self-determination.
The APHC-AJK leadership also appealed to overseas Kashmiris to hold protest demonstrations on August 5 to expose India’s continued repression and illegal actions in IIOJK and draw the international community’s attention to the plight of the Kashmiri people and their legitimate aspirations.
–FO statement–
Pakistan has reaffirmed its unwavering support for the people of Kashmir on Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, marking the seventh anniversary of India’s constitutional changes in the disputed region on 5 August 2019.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan was observing the day to highlight what it described as India’s unilateral actions of 5 August 2019, which it said were contrary to international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The spokesperson paid tribute to the courage, resilience and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, reaffirming Pakistan’s continued political, diplomatic and moral support for their cause.
The Foreign Office stated that Pakistan remained firmly committed to supporting the Kashmiri people’s internationally recognised right to self-determination and would continue to raise the issue at regional and international forums.
The statement added that Pakistan stood in solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and would continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution of the longstanding dispute in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
President Zardari reaffirms unwavering solidarity with people of IIOJK
President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed unwavering solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir and paid tribute to their courage, resilience and commitment to their just struggle for the realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination.
“Seven years have passed since India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019, which sought to alter the internationally recognised disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir in violation of international law and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions,” the president said in a message on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir.
He said these actions could not change the legal status of the dispute, nor could they weaken the resolve of the Kashmiri people.
For seven years, the President said millions of Kashmiris had continued to live under severe restrictions that had affected every aspect of daily life. “Families have endured uncertainty, young people have seen their opportunities constrained and entire communities have continued to bear the burden of prolonged conflict and instability. Despite these hardships, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice and their legitimate right to determine their own future.”
President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan remained unwavering in its moral, political and diplomatic support for the people of IIOJK. “We will continue to raise our voice at every international forum until the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.”
He highlighted that a just and lasting peace in South Asia was closely linked to the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. “I urge the international community, particularly the United Nations, to play its role in addressing the grave human rights situation in IIOJK and in advancing a just and peaceful settlement of this longstanding dispute.”
“To my Kashmiri brothers and sisters, I say: Pakistan stands firmly with you. Your courage in the face of adversity inspires us. You are not alone. The people of Pakistan will continue to stand by you until your legitimate right to self-determination is realised,” the president said and prayed to Allah Almighty to grant the people of Jammu and Kashmir strength, patience and steadfastness, and bless them with justice and lasting peace.
PM reaffirms Kashmir as cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that peaceful and just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remained a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and Pakistan would continue to extend its diplomatic, political and moral support and raise the voice of the Kashmiri people at every regional and international forum.
He said Pakistan called upon the international community to urge India to end its human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), reverse its illegal and unilateral measures introduced since August 2019, repeal the draconian laws imposed upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir and create conducive environment to enable the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, through the exercise of the right to self-determination by the Kashmiri people in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The prime minister, in a message on the occasion of ‘Youm-e-Istehsal’ being observed on 5th August, reiterated that on the day, the people and the Government of Pakistan stood in unwavering solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters.
“We solemnly observe this day to remind the world of the grave consequences of India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019, which sought to alter the internationally recognized disputed status of Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), in flagrant violation of international law and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council,” he added.
The prime minister said seven years on, these unlawful measures had neither changed the legal status of Jammu and Kashmir nor diminished the legitimate aspiration of its people.
