Kashmir Solidarity Day – 5 February 2021

An event on the occasion of ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ was organized today in the Embassy of Pakistan, Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

A large number of local journalists, representatives of Human Rights Organizations, academicians, members of Pakistan-Tajikistan Friendship Society, Pakistan Study Centre based at the National University of Tajikistan and members of Pakistani community attended.

The event started with the recitation of Holy Quran, followed by playing of national anthems of Pakistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Special messages of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out by Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Shahid Ali Seehar and Defence Attaché, Mr. Muhammad Rashid Khan.

Ambassador Imran Haider in his address highlighted the brutal atrocities being committed by the Indian occupying forces in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), particularly the inhuman and unprecedented lockdown imposed in the region since 5 August 2019.

He added that the UN Security Council has taken up the unresolved Kashmir dispute thrice since August 2019 which refutes the false Indian claim that the Kashmir dispute is a bilateral dispute.

Ambassador stated that Pakistan is a legitimate party to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as it still remains the unfinished agenda of partition of the sub-continent in 1947. Besides, the disputed region is a natural part of Pakistan owing to common culture, religion and geographical contiguity.

While emphasizing the urgency of resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UNSC Resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people, the Ambassador called upon the Indian government to lift the inhuman and illegal lockdown from IIOJK and release all prisoners including women and children.

Two noted Tajik literary figures recited their poems eulogizing the beauty of Kashmir valley and bravery of its people.

To raise awareness about the plight of the innocent Kashmiris in IIOJK, a special documentary made by the Mission in Russian language highlighting brutalities being committed by the Indian occupying forces was screened.

A pictorial exhibition depicting grave human rights violations in IIOJK was also organized.

Dushanbe

5 February 2021