ISLAMABAD (Urdu Times) Kashmir, ‘Black Day,’ and Pakistan’s Narrative at the United Nations

ISLAMABAD (Urdu Times) Kashmir is not merely a geographical region; as Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah put it, it is the “jugular vein” of Pakistan. As long as this jugular vein remains in the clutches of the enemy, Pakistan’s existence cannot be considered complete. Our bond with the Kashmiris is not limited to the land; it is a bond rooted in the Kalima Tayyaba (the Islamic declaration of faith) and a bond of blood. We stood by them in the past, we stand by them today, and we will continue to champion their cause until the flag of freedom waves in the heart of Srinagar! October 27th marks one of the darkest chapters in the history of the Subcontinent—a day observed as “Black Day” by Pakistan, Azad Kashmir, and the Kashmiri diaspora across the globe. This day serves as a grim reminder of Indian aggression, illegal occupation, and the genocide of the Kashmiri people in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Every year on October 27th, Kashmiris and Pakistanis worldwide observe “Kashmir Black Day” against the occupying Indian state. While this day serves as a reminder of historical oppression, Pakistan’s recent, firm stance at the United Nations underscores that the Kashmir issue is no longer merely a regional border dispute.

It was on this dark day in 1947 that Indian forces—in collusion with the Hindu Dogra Maharaja—trampled upon international law and launched an assault on the Srinagar airport. This illegal occupation, persisting for the past eight decades, has transformed the valley into a bloody prison—a state of oppression that reached a critical peak on August 5, 2019, with the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A.

United Nations records show that the Security Council has kept the Kashmir issue on its agenda since 1948. Security Council Resolution 47 explicitly mandates an impartial plebiscite. However, the expediency and silence of global powers have granted India a free hand. Before the Council, Pakistan demanded an end to the double standards applied to the enforcement of human rights.

Against this long and painful backdrop, the address by the Prime Minister of Pakistan during the 81st annual session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York was not merely a routine speech; rather, it served as a strategic diplomatic document concerning peace in South Asia and the right to self-determination for the Kashmiri people.

The Prime Minister’s address at the United Nations: According to official UN records, the Pakistani Prime Minister presented the long-standing Kashmir dispute to the General Assembly as a grave nuclear flashpoint threatening global security, articulating a narrative built upon three fundamental pillars.

Speaking on this diplomatic stage, the Prime Minister stated unequivocally that the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir are awaiting the exercise of their right to a free and fair plebiscite, as stipulated by the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). He termed India’s fascism—manifested through extrajudicial killings in the valley, search operations, and the use of domicile laws to reduce the Muslim majority to a minority—a grave violation of international law. A wave of concern rippled through diplomatic circles when the Prime Minister addressed the escalating tensions along the borders. Citing Article 51 of the UN Charter (the right to self-defense), he made it clear that Pakistan is well-versed in defending its sovereignty. He revealed that, in the past, timely diplomatic intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump had saved the two nuclear-armed nations from a major, catastrophic conflict. Perhaps the most sensitive issue is India’s attempt to unilaterally undermine the Indus Waters Treaty. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, drawing upon the assessments of UN experts and rulings by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, declared that any Indian adventurism aimed at obstructing water flow or usurping Pakistan’s rightful share would be construed as an “act of war.” Water scarcity and demographic shifts have brought the situation to the brink of a strategic conflict.

Human history bears witness that freedom is a fundamental and natural right of any nation; yet, when this right is forcibly seized through the sheer application of power, that day becomes one of the darkest in history.

The Kashmir dispute is a consequence of the unfinished agenda of the Partition of the Indian subcontinent. In 1947, based on established principles, Kashmir—as a Muslim-majority state—ought to have become part of Pakistan; indeed, the hearts of the Kashmiri people beat in unison with Pakistan. However, contrary to the aspirations of the Kashmiris, on October 27, 1947, Indian forces landed at the Srinagar airport overnight and established an illegal and forcible occupation of the Valley. That day laid the foundation for transforming this paradise-like valley of the subcontinent into a bloody prison—a state of affairs against which the Kashmiri people continue to struggle to this day. India itself took this issue to the United Nations, where resolutions were passed stipulating that the Kashmiris would be granted the right to self-determination and that a free and fair plebiscite would be held. Yet, for several decades now, India has reneged on these resolutions and, shielded by the silence of the international community, has been inflicting unspeakable atrocities upon the Kashmiri people. On August 5, 2019, the Modi administration revoked Articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian Constitution, effectively abolishing the semi-autonomous status of occupied Kashmir. The objective of this draconian measure is to transform the Muslim majority of Kashmir into a minority and to distort the region’s demographic and geographical character. Since this move, the valley has witnessed a massive escalation in military sieges, internet blackouts, and the extrajudicial detention of youth—developments that have further underscored the significance of October 27, observed as a ‘Black Day.’ The observance of this Black Day is not merely about holding rallies or declaring a holiday; rather, it is driven by several critical objectives:

* Awakening the global conscience: Reminding the world that the fourth generation of Kashmiris is being born into chains, and that the region remains under the world’s largest military siege.

* Solidarity with Kashmiri brethren: Conveying to the oppressed Kashmiris that the Pakistani nation stands with them—down to the very last drop of its blood.

* Reaffirming diplomatic resolve: Pakistan will continue to champion the cause of Kashmir on every international platform until the Kashmiri people attain their freedom. When oppression exceeds its limits, it is destined to perish. The valley of Kashmir has witnessed the blood of hundreds of thousands of martyrs—a sacrifice that will never go in vain. October 27 serves as a reminder that until the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is resolved in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people, the dream of peace in the subcontinent will remain unfulfilled.

This day stands as a resounding slap in the face to the international community, the United Nations, and those who pose as the self-proclaimed guardians of human rights! Those who clamor for the rights of birds—yet fall completely silent when the blood of Kashmiri Muslims is shed—become, in effect, blind and deaf to the suffering around them. We are not begging for charity; we are demanding the implementation of United Nations resolutions—resolutions that were, in fact, signed by India’s own first Prime Minister. For over eight decades, a reign of terror and brutality has persisted in the occupied Kashmir Valley—a reality so horrific that it causes humanity itself to bow its head in shame. There, mothers have been left bereft of their children, the dignity of women has been violated, young men have been subjected to extrajudicial killings and consigned to unmarked graves, and the eyes of innocent children have been blinded by pellet guns.

On August 5, 2019, the Modi administration revoked Articles 370 and 35-A, effectively transforming Kashmir into the world’s largest open-air military prison. Today, Kashmiris have been rendered prisoners on their own soil. Yet, through this august House, I wish to declare to the oppressors of the world: Listen well! You may imprison the bodies of the Kashmiri people, but you cannot imprison their spirit! You cannot win hearts with the barrel of a gun! October 27 stands as the darkest day in the history of the Subcontinent—a day that will be remembered for all time as “Kashmir Black Day.” It was on this day that those who claim to champion peace and democracy—the very same oppressors who cloak themselves in the guise of humanity—launched a treacherous assault under the cover of darkness, striking a fatal blow to the freedom of innocent Kashmiris! History bears witness that on the fateful morning of October 27, 1947, when Indian forces landed at the Srinagar airport, they did not merely occupy a piece of land; rather, they stifled the aspirations and dreams of millions of Kashmiris, as well as their fundamental right to self-determination. The following details pertain to the relevant laws and resolutions of the UN Security Council. Regarding the “Kashmir Black Day”—October 27, 1947—this marks the historic date when Indian forces, in violation of the law, descended upon the Srinagar airport, initiating an illegal occupation. For the past eight decades, the Kashmiri people have remembered this day as the beginning of their subjugation. As for the constitutional change imposed by India (on August 5, 2019), the Modi administration, through a presidential ordinance, permanently revoked Articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian Constitution.

Through this action, the special autonomous status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir was unilaterally abolished, and the groundwork was laid for “demographic engineering”—aimed at transforming the Muslim majority into a minority—via new domicile laws. The key resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) are as follows:

* UNSC Resolution 47: Adopted on April 21, 1948, this resolution primarily aims to establish peace in the occupied territory and to facilitate a free and impartial plebiscite, thereby granting the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination. • UN Charter (Article 51): In his address, the Prime Minister of Pakistan clarified that in response to the Indian aggression that took place in May 2025, Pakistan exercised its legal and established right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered this address on September 25, 2026, at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In his speech, he touched upon the revocation of India’s actions of August 5, 2019; the characterization of “water aggression”—in the form of violations of the Indus Waters Treaty—as an “act of war”; and the timely diplomatic intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump during the conflict in May 2025.

The flame of freedom for the Kashmiri people burns bright, fueled by their own unwavering spirit. The day is not far when this night of oppression will come to an end, and Kashmir will welcome the dawn of freedom. The international community must cast aside the cloak of political expediency and grant the Kashmiris their rightful due; otherwise, the dream of peace in South Asia will remain forever unfulfilled. When oppression exceeds its limits, it inevitably comes to an end. The Valley of Kashmir has witnessed the blood of hundreds of thousands of martyrs—a sacrifice that will never go in vain. The 27th of October serves as a reminder that until the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is resolved in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people, the dream of peace in the Subcontinent will remain unfulfilled. The flame of freedom among the Kashmiris is kept alive by their unwavering spirit; the day is not far when this night of oppression will end, and Kashmir will welcome the dawn of liberty. Pakistan acts as the advocate for Kashmir and remains the staunchest supporter of its right to self-determination. It has always been Pakistan’s clear and principled stance that the Kashmiri people be granted their right to a plebiscite, as stipulated by United Nations resolutions. Kashmir is the “jugular vein” of Pakistan, and continuing to provide moral, political, and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris is both our national duty and a matter of faith. The Kashmir dispute is a continuation of the unfinished agenda of the Partition of India. Under the Partition Plan of June 1947, Muslim-majority states were to become part of Pakistan based on geographical contiguity. With over 80 percent of its population being Muslim, the people of Kashmir wholeheartedly desired accession to Pakistan—a sentiment formally expressed on July 19, 1947, through the “Resolution for Accession to Pakistan” passed by the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference. However, the oppressive Hindu Dogra Maharaja, Hari Singh, conspired against the aspirations of the people. On the morning of October 27, 1947, Indian forces—flouting international law—descended upon the Srinagar airport and established an illegal occupation over the Valley. The Maharaja orchestrated a sham and fraudulent “Instrument of Accession” with India—a move rejected by the Kashmiris and Pakistan from the very outset.

On the occasion of ‘Kashmir Black Day,’ our younger generation must utilize social media, the written word, and modern diplomatic channels to expose Indian propaganda and present the true case of Kashmir to the world. Driven by political interests and expediency, the international community—along with the United Nations—has adopted a double standard, remaining a silent spectator to the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Kashmir. Yet, history bears witness that a freedom movement can never be suppressed through bullets, curfews, or the tactics of oppression. While October 27th—’ Black Day’—serves as a stain upon the face of Indian democracy, it also stands as a testament to the enduring resolve and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people. No matter how long the night of tyranny may last, the sun of freedom will inevitably rise; the people of Kashmir will break their chains and celebrate their liberation. Freedom is the beauty of the universe and the fundamental right of every living soul, whereas subjugation is the ultimate punishment and agony for a human being. In the history of the Indo-Pak subcontinent, October 27 stands as one of the darkest and most painful days—a date that marks the beginning of India’s illegal occupation of the paradise-like Kashmir Valley, the perpetration of inhumane atrocities, and the subjugation of the Kashmiri people. For this reason, every year on October 27, Pakistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the Kashmiri diaspora across the globe observe “Kashmir Black Day” with profound grief and indignation, aiming to jolt the dormant conscience of the international community. The Kashmir dispute is a continuation of the unfinished agenda of the Partition of India. Under the Partition Plan of June 1947, Muslim-majority states were to become part of Pakistan based on geographical contiguity. With over 80 percent of its population being Muslim, the people of Kashmir wholeheartedly desired accession to Pakistan—a sentiment formally expressed on July 19, 1947, through the “Resolution for Accession to Pakistan” adopted by the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference. The oppressive Hindu Dogra Maharaja of Kashmir, Hari Singh, conspired against the aspirations of the people. On the morning of October 27, 1947, Indian forces, in flagrant violation of international law, established an illegal occupation over the Valley. In the history of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, August 5, 2019, stands as one of the darkest, most despicable, and fascist days. On this date, the Modi government—steeped in the ideology of Hindutva—blatantly disregarded international law, the Geneva Conventions, and all United Nations Security Council resolutions, seeking to brand the Kashmiris with a new mark of subjugation. It was on this day that the special, semi-autonomous status and state identity of occupied Jammu and Kashmir were unilaterally usurped through the Indian Parliament. Prior to August 5, 2019, Article 370 of the Indian Constitution granted the Kashmir Valley a distinct autonomous status, allowing it to maintain its own flag and constitution. Meanwhile, Article 35-A served as a robust defensive bulwark for the Kashmiris, strictly prohibiting non-Kashmiris—including Indian Hindus—from purchasing land, establishing permanent residence, or securing government employment in Kashmir. The Modi administration launched a clandestine assault on both of these articles via a presidential ordinance. The objective behind this move was not development or prosperity; rather, it was an attempt to forcibly distort the internationally recognized disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir by bringing the territory under the direct control of Delhi. The most dangerous and insidious ambition driving this fascist agenda is the alteration of the region’s demographic composition. By abolishing Article 35-A, the Modi government has initiated the issuance of fraudulent Kashmiri domicile certificates to hundreds of thousands of non-Kashmiri Hindus, opportunistic businessmen, and retired military personnel.

The ultimate goal of this nefarious conspiracy is to ensure that, should the United Nations—under pressure from the international community—ever intervene in the future… Even if a plebiscite were to be held there to exercise the right to self-determination, the proportion of the Muslim majority would have been reduced to such an extent that the vote would be rendered ineffective. This constitutes a blatant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which strictly prohibits an occupying power from altering the demography of an occupied territory. To forcibly impose this decision upon the Kashmiri people, the Modi administration subjected the Valley to the world’s largest and longest-running military lockdown and curfew. For months, internet access, mobile services, and telephone lines were completely severed to ensure that the cries of the Kashmiris would not reach the outside world. The entire top-tier political and mainstream leadership—from the late Syed Ali Geelani to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik—was consigned to prisons or placed under detention. Even today, according to the Kashmir Media Service and various international reports, young men are being subjected to extrajudicial killings in the Valley daily under the guise of “search operations.” Pakistan has vigorously exposed the unilateral and illegal actions of August 5, 2019, at every international forum. During the recent session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Prime Minister of Pakistan clearly stated that as long as India does not reverse these unilateral measures, negotiations are futile; the geographical reality of a disputed territory cannot be altered through the use of force. It has become evident that the Modi administration’s “water aggression”—manifested in attempts to violate the Indus Waters Treaty—could push the region toward a catastrophic nuclear confrontation. What India sowed on August 5, 2019, has now become a noose around its own neck. Keeping schools and markets open under the shadow of guns and brute force can never be a sign of “peace and normalcy.” The fourth generation of Kashmiris is now demanding an accounting for the blood of their forebears. This oppressive move of August 5 has failed in its objective to crush the Kashmiri spirit of freedom. The international community and the United Nations must abandon their double standards, for without a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue, the dream of lasting peace in South Asia will remain unfulfilled. Kashmir shall become Pakistan—God willing!