Youm-i-Istehsal: Pakistan says lasting peace in South Asia linked to peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute

The military and civilian leadership on Wednesday said just and lasting peace in South Asia was closely linked to the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute as the country marked Youm-i-Istehsal (Exploitation Day) to mark the anniversary of India revoking the occupied region’s special autonomy in 2019. President Asif Ali Zardari said that Youm-i-Istehsal was being observed to “reaffirm our unwavering solidarity” with the people of occupied Kashmir. “We pay tribute to their courage, resilience and commitment to their just struggle for the realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination,” he said.

The president said that seven years have passed since India’s “illegal and unilateral actions” of August 5, 2019, when it revoked the region’s special autonomy. “These actions cannot change the legal status of the dispute, nor can they weaken the resolve of the Kashmiri people,” he said. “For seven years, millions of Kashmiris have continued to live under severe restrictions that have 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 Zardari said. He said that Pakistan remained unwavering in its moral, political and diplomatic support for the people of occupied Kashmir. “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 (UNSC) resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people,” he said. The president said that just and lasting peace in South Asia was closely linked to the peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute, urging the international community to play its role in addressing the human rights situation in the occupied valley. “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,” he said. In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the people and the government of Pakistan “stand in unwavering solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters”. He said that seven years later, India’s unlawful measures had neither changed the legal status of occupied Kashmir nor diminished the legitimate aspiration of its people. “Instead, they have deepened repression, undermined fundamental freedom, and accelerated attempts to alter the demographic composition of the occupied territory through unlawful legislative and administrative measures. The continued suppression of the genuine Kashmiri political leadership, restrictions on civil liberties, and curbs on independent media, remain a matter of serious concern,” he said.

“Despite these challenges, the courage, resilience and steadfastness of the Kashmiri people remain unshaken. Their peaceful and just struggle for the realization of their unalienable right to self-determination continues to inspire generations and commands the respect and support of all those who believe in justice, human dignity and the rule of international law,” he added. The premier said that the Kashmir dispute remained the “principal unresolved issue affecting peace and stability in South Asia”. “Lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved by coercion or unilateral action, but only through a peaceful settlement of the dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant UNSC resolutions. The international community must move beyond expressions of concern and play its rightful role in advancing a just and durable resolution of the dispute,” he said. He reaffirmed that a peaceful and just resolution of the dispute remained a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, adding that 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”. PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan called upon the international community to urge India to end its human rights violations in occupied Kashmir, reverse its “illegal and unilateral measures” introduced since August 2019, repeal the draconian laws imposed upon the people and create conducive environment to enable the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, through the exercise of the right to self-determination by the Kashmiri people in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in his message on the occasion, called on the international community to fulfil its “long-overdue responsibility” for the peaceful resolution of the dispute.

DPM Dar said India’s actions in occupied Kashmir on August 5, 2019, presented a “grave challenge” to the established international framework and expressed solidarity with the people of the region. “We reaffirm our unwavering support for their fundamental rights, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and reflected in the relevant UNSC resolutions,” he said, adding that events of August 5, 2019 remained a “matter of deep concern”. He continued: “These steps have further complicated efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia and have adversely impacted the lives, rights, and freedoms of the Kashmiri people.” At this, the DPM urged the international community to play a role in ensuring respect for international law, international humanitarian law, human rights and commitments made under the UN. Dar also called on India to halt all actions aimed at undermining the disputed status of occupied Kashmir and “take steps conducive to creating an environment for the peaceful resolution of the dispute”. “We reiterate that lasting peace and stability in South Asia can only be achieved through the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant UNSC resolutions,” he said, adding that Pakistan will continue to raise its voice on international forums for a “just and peaceful settlement of the dispute”. Concluding his statement, Dar paid tribute to the “resilience, courage, and sacrifices” of the Kashmiri people. “Pakistan stands in steadfast solidarity with them and will continue to extend its unwavering moral, political, and diplomatic support to their just struggle for the realisation of their legitimate right to self- determination.” He called upon the international community, particularly the UN, to “fulfil its long-overdue responsibilities and make meaningful efforts for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute”. Armed forces reaffirm solidarity with Kashmiris Separately, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of Air Staff Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu reaffirm their unwavering solidarity with the resilient and courageous people of occupied Kashmir. A statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations said, “The armed forces of Pakistan reiterate their steadfast support for the legitimate struggle of Kashmiri people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in international law and the relevant UNSC resolutions.” They said that the continued occupation of the valley remained a matter of “serious concern”. “Such actions, coupled with provocative rhetoric and belligerent posturing, serve only to exacerbate regional instability and perpetuate human suffering,” they said. “It is explicitly evident that lasting peace and stability in South Asia are intrinsically linked to the just and peaceful settlement of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant UNSC resolutions,” they added.