Chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan's political, diplomatic and moral support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, marking Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir. In a message issued on the occasion, he said August 5 symbolizes solidarity with the Kashmiri people against India's August 5, 2019 actions, urged the international community to play its role in resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions, and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to supporting the Kashmiri people's right to self determination.

Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said India's decision to revoke the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019 violated United Nations resolutions and international law. He said the Kashmiri people's struggle is a just movement for justice, peace and fundamental human rights. Expressing concern over the situation in the occupied territory, he said reports of human rights violations, restrictions on freedom of expression and curbs on civil liberties continued to raise serious concerns. He said measures introduced after August 5, 2019 had created concerns over changes to the demographic and political character of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

He added that the issuance of domicile certificates to non Kashmiris had raised apprehensions regarding the rights, identity and political representation of the indigenous population. Referring to reports that millions of domicile certificates had been issued in the occupied territory, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said such developments had intensified concerns about preserving the identity and democratic rights of the local population. He urged the international community to take immediate notice of the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and contribute to a just.

peaceful and lasting resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said Pakistan would continue extending political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that August 5 serves as a reminder to renew solidarity with the Kashmiri people and reaffirm support for their right to self determination. He said Pakistan would continue to stand with its brothers and sisters in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and raise their cause at every international forum until a peaceful resolution of the dispute is achieved.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)