ISLAMABAD (Urdu Times) Solidarity with Kashmiris; Pakistan’s National Assembly is a powerful voice

ISLAMABAD (Urdu Times) The freedom of occupied Jammu and Kashmir is Pakistan’s top priority. The brutality of the occupying Indian forces in occupied Kashmir is on the rise. India should remember that oppression and coercion can never weaken the movement of the Kashmiris for their right to self-determination. The Kashmir issue should be resolved in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations. This statement by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, is very significant because he raises the Kashmir issue at every forum. According to the research of senior analyst Asghar Ali Mubarak, the National Assembly of Pakistan has consistently acted as a powerful, united voice that advocates for the rights of Kashmiris, reiterating its unwavering moral, political, and diplomatic support for their struggle for self-determination. The house often passes unanimous resolutions condemning Indian actions in Jammu and Kashmir and highlighting human rights violations at international forums. The National Assembly passed resolutions rejecting India’s unilateral actions on August 5, 2019, the abrogation of Article 370, and demanding the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions.

The parliament affirms that the Kashmir issue is not merely a regional but a humanitarian issue with the right to self-determination at its core.
The Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan and parliamentary delegations actively raise the Kashmir issue at international forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The National Assembly has a special parliamentary committee on Kashmir to ensure continuous attention and policy formulation on the Kashmir issue. The House has consistently condemned the state-sponsored violence, illegal detentions, and demographic changes in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. It should be noted that the Kashmir issue must be resolved in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir and the resolutions of the United Nations. The local freedom movement cannot be suppressed by oppressive tactics. Through these steps, the National Assembly ensures that the Kashmir cause remains at the forefront of Pakistan’s foreign policy and national discourse. The Speaker of the National Assembly also raised the Kashmir issue in his meeting with the Chairman of the National People’s Congress during his recent visit to China. Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, says that the Kashmir issue should be resolved in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations. The international community has taken notice of the human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and has been raising the ongoing atrocities in occupied Kashmir at every forum, and will continue to do so. Imran Hussain, a member of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, met the Speaker of the National Assembly at Parliament House. In the meeting, the members of the House of Commons paid tribute to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan for highlighting the Kashmir issue at the international level. The member of the House of Commons of Britain also said that he will raise the Kashmir issue effectively in the British Parliament, especially the social and welfare services of the Arfanj Foundation for serving orphans and deserving children in Kashmir, which were appreciated. On this occasion, Federal Minister and Chairman of the Kashmir Committee Rana Qasim Noon said that occupied Jammu and Kashmir is not just a regional dispute but a serious humanitarian crisis. The people of occupied Kashmir have been facing violations of basic human rights for decades. The international community should ensure the protection of the basic human rights of the Kashmiri people.
Remember that Kashmir Solidarity Day is celebrated every year on February 5 in Pakistan and around the world. The purpose of this day is to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people, support their right to self-determination, and condemn Indian atrocities. On February 5, Pakistan celebrates “Kashmir Solidarity Day” to express solidarity with Kashmiris living in all parts of divided Kashmir. This day has been celebrated continuously for the past 36 years, in which political and religious parties of Pakistanis living in Pakistan and many countries around the world hold protest rallies, and ceremonies are held at the official level. However, few people know when and how the celebration of this day began, or which personality first proposed it. Remember that the incident that took place on January 25, 1990, in Handwara, Kupwara district of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, is considered one of the tragic days in Kashmiri history. On that day, Indian occupation forces opened fire on a peaceful gathering, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 unarmed Kashmiris and the injury of more than 75 people. According to eyewitnesses, the gathering in Handwara consisted of unarmed civilians who had gathered to raise their voices against the ongoing killings in the valley and demand justice.At that time, the entire valley was already in shock from the Gaukadal massacre, but instead of improving the situation, the Indian authorities intensified the curfew, military siege, and forced arrests. Indian forces opened indiscriminate fire on the protesters, plunging the entire region into fear and grief. Even after this incident, as is customary, no independent investigation could be conducted, nor were those responsible punished. The Kashmiri people still remember the Handwara massacre as an incident that sent the message that not only protesting but also mourning is considered a crime in occupied Kashmir. This incident is considered a bloody link in the long struggle of Kashmiris for freedom, which is still part of the collective memory today. Evidence shows that the celebration of this day began in 1932 with the united Punjab, before the partition of Kashmir, but this chain kept breaking and connecting. Even after the formation of Pakistan, solidarity with the Kashmiris continued to be expressed, but no specific day was set aside for it, and this trend was not continuous. In 1975, at the time of the agreement between Sheikh Abdullah and Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto announced that February 28 would be observed as a day of solidarity with the Kashmiris. Media reports of that time indicate that the protest was so severe that the entire country of Pakistan was shut down, and people did not even water their cattle. Among those who suggested to Prime Minister Bhutto to observe this day were Jamaat-e-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed and the then President of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan. Remember that on October 27, 1947, India landed its troops in Jammu and Kashmir and occupied a large part of it. However, in 1990, Qazi Hussain, in consultation with Mian Nawaz Sharif, demanded a day to express solidarity with the Kashmiris, and this was immediately supported by Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. This was a time when the armed movement in Indian-administered Kashmir was in its early stages, and Kashmiri youth, disappointed with the prospects of a political solution to the Kashmir dispute, were joining the militant movement. The series of killings and migrations had begun. Meanwhile, from December 29 to 31, 1988, the SAARC meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was held in Islamabad, and Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi came to Pakistan to attend the meeting. At that time, the Pakistan People’s Party was in power in the country, and Benazir Bhutto was the Prime Minister of the country. At that time, Mian Nawaz Sharif was the head of the Islamic Democratic Alliance and the Chief Minister of Punjab. Jamaat-e-Islami was part of this alliance, and there was a rift between its leader, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, and Mian Nawaz Sharif. The Islamic Democratic Alliance was in the opposition in the National Assembly, and the provincial government of Punjab was also with this alliance. Mian Nawaz Sharif and Qazi Hussain Ahmed took the government to task on this issue. The armed movement in Indian-administered Kashmir was on the rise, and the Indian forces were openly using force to crush this movement. As a result, the killing of Kashmiri youth in Indian-administered Kashmir became a daily routine. Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmed, in consultation with Punjab Chief Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, announced support for the armed militant movement in Kashmir and announced that February 5, 1990, would be observed as Kashmir Solidarity Day. The PPP government was already under opposition pressure on the Kashmir issue, so Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto supported the announcement without delay, and in the coming years, February 5 was regularly observed as Kashmir Solidarity Day. However, the official celebration of Kashmir Solidarity Day began in 2004 when the then Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali and the Minister for Kashmir Affairs Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao announced the official celebration of this day. On February 5, 2004, Prime Minister Jamali addressed a joint session of the Legislative Assembly of Pakistan-administered Kashmir and the Jammu and Kashmir Council in Muzaffarabad. Since then, it has been a tradition that this joint meeting is held every year on the same day, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan or his designated representative must attend this meeting. In the context of the recent aggressive behavior of India against Pakistan, Kashmir Solidarity Day highlights the fact that lasting peace and stability in South Asia depend on a just and lasting solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which should be in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. On October 27, 1947, Indian forces entered Srinagar in blatant violation of international law, moral principles, and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, starting from that day, one of the darkest chapters in modern history.

Every year, we observe Kashmir Solidarity Day to pay tribute to the heroic struggle and sacrifices of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters, who have stood firm against oppression to achieve their inalienable right to self-determination. Despite decades of Indian atrocities, the spirit of resistance of the Kashmiri people still exists. India’s aggressive campaign has intensified since August 5, 2019, when India unilaterally revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, imposed a military blockade, inflicted collective punishment by destroying Kashmiri property, and implemented oppressive laws that deprived the Kashmiri people of their fundamental freedoms. The occupied valley remains under severe restrictions on movement, communication, and assembly. While fake encounters, custodial torture, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances continue to terrorize citizens, the Indian authorities are systematically trying to turn Kashmiris into a minority in their own land. For nearly 8 decades, the people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir have faced immense suffering and oppression. We salute their indomitable spirit, courage, and resilience. Their determination to achieve freedom and the right to self-determination remains unwavering. Since August 5, 2019, India has intensified its illegal and unilateral measures aimed at changing the demographic structure and political status of Jammu and Kashmir. Along with human rights violations, severe restrictions have been imposed on freedom of movement and expression. India has launched a systematic campaign to suppress the legitimate political voices of Kashmiris and crush their national spirit by imposing oppressive laws. The imprisonment of several prominent Kashmiri leaders, activists, and journalists on baseless charges is the worst example of India’s extremist agenda. Their continued detention is a clear violation of international human rights norms. Pakistan has always condemned these illegal actions, which are in clear violation of international law and UN resolutions. Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed every year on 5th February in Pakistan and around the world. The purpose of this day is to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people, support their right to self-determination, and condemn Indian atrocities. The purpose of this day is to convince the international community that the Kashmir issue is yet to be resolved, and it is necessary to give the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination. Pakistan has always stood by the Kashmiri people and continues to fully support them.
The Government and people of Pakistan observe “Kashmir Solidarity Day” every year to renew their continued support for the just and legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination. The right to self-determination is a fundamental principle of international law. Every year, the United Nations General Assembly passes a resolution emphasizing the legitimate right of the people to determine their own destiny. Unfortunately, the Kashmiri people have not been able to exercise this inalienable right despite the passage of the last 79 years. Illegally occupied by India, the occupied Jammu and Kashmir is one of the largest occupied military territories in the world. Kashmiris live in an atmosphere of fear and terror. Political activists and human rights defenders are being detained for long periods, and their properties are being confiscated. Political parties that represent the genuine aspirations of the Kashmiri people have been banned. These oppressive measures are aimed at crushing dissent. India is taking illegal steps to consolidate its illegal occupation of occupied Kashmir. Following the illegal and unilateral steps of August 5, 2019, India’s efforts are aimed at changing the demographic and political environment of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir so that the Kashmiris are transformed into a powerless community in their own land. Recent developments in the Middle East demonstrate that long-standing conflicts should not be prolonged any further. Lasting peace cannot be achieved by suppressing the genuine aspirations of the local people. In the interest of sustainable peace in South Asia, the international community should urge India to allow the Kashmiri people to freely decide their future. The Jammu and Kashmir dispute is an important pillar of our foreign policy. Pakistan will continue to extend unwavering moral, diplomatic, and political support to the Kashmiri people until they achieve their right to self-determination, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The brave Kashmiri people are making countless sacrifices in their struggle to achieve their fundamental rights and freedoms. The historical fact is that Kashmir has always been a separate, independent, and sovereign state from India. The conditions there today are the result of a series of historical events that took place there. The Dogra Raj remained in power in Jammu and Kashmir until 1947. The state was autonomous except in matters of defense, foreign affairs, and communications. The movement for independence from the Dogra Raj in Jammu and Kashmir began in 1925 when the Hindu Raja Hari Singh became the king of a 77 percent Muslim population. In 1932, the young leader Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah emerged on the political horizon of Kashmir. Since 1931 to the present day, Kashmiri Muslims have been facing all kinds of state oppression, but their freedom movement is still ongoing. When the effects of the 1947 riots reached Jammu and Kashmir, there was a large-scale massacre of Muslims in Jammu. The history of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh shows that matters cannot be settled in the way Indian extremists want to rule. The proportion of the Muslim population in Jammu has decreased, but the freedom movement in the occupied valley has not been crushed. Perhaps Kashmiris want to fight this fight democratically and legally, but India wants to suppress their voice by all means. Maharaja Hari Singh of the state of Jammu and Kashmir had acceded to India on October 27, 1947, against the wishes of the people.