Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr Musadik Malik, has called on the international community to break its silence over what he described as systematic and continuing human rights violations against the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), as Pakistan marked Kashmir Black Day on Monday. In a strongly worded message, Dr Malik said the global community s indifference towards the suffering of Kashmiris exposes a troubling double standard in the defence of human rights.

The world that speaks so loudly about women s rights remains silent on the atrocities committed against Kashmiri women, he remarked. Highlighting what he termed the hypocrisy of global institutions and governments, the minister said that when it comes to Kashmir, the world seems to forget its own principles of justice, human dignity, and self-determination. Dr Malik reaffirmed Pakistan s unwavering political, moral, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people in their struggle for self-determination, as enshrined in United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Pakistan stood with the Kashmiris yesterday, stands with them today, and will continue to stand with them until their just cause is realised, he asserted. He added that the observance of Kashmir Black Day was not only a day of mourning but also of renewed resolve to support the Kashmiri people s right to freedom and dignity. Today is a day of both sorrow and determination dedicated to the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of the Kashmiri people, Dr Malik said. Kashmir Black Day is observed annually on 27 October to mark the day in 1947 when Indian forces entered the region, beginning of the illegal occupation.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)