Kashmiris Worldwide observe Black Day against Indian occupation

ISLAMABAD: Kashmiris in various parts of the world, including Pakistan, are observing Black Day today to stand against the decades-long crisis caused by India’s continued illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.

October 27, 1947 was the day when Indian troops invaded the region in a blatant violation of the Partition Plan, trampling on the aspirations of Kashmiris.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference called on Kashmiris to observe the day as a way to draw international attention to the urgent need for a resolution to the Kashmir dispute.

In strong messages, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Islamabad’s unwavering support for the people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle for their right to self-determination.

President Zardari described the Indian occupation as one of the darkest chapters in Kashmir’s history, highlighting decades of suffering, oppression and human rights violations by generations of Kashmiris. He condemned India’s unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, aimed at forcibly changing the demographic makeup of the region, and urged the international community, especially the United Nations, to hold New Delhi accountable and implement UN Security Council resolutions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned India’s crackdown on Kashmiri rights, including draconian laws, imprisonment of leaders, and severe restrictions on the freedom of expression movement.

The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to highlighting the plight of Kashmiris globally and reiterated that the Kashmiri people are not alone. He said that two hundred and forty million Pakistanis stand with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their pursuit of justice and the right to self-determination.

Today’s events in Kashmir and the diaspora reflect a renewed call for justice, freedom, and international intervention in what Pakistan has described as decades of illegal occupation.