This Mission, under the patronage of H.E Air Marshal (r) Shahid Akhtar, ambassador of Pakistan, observed Kashmir “Black Day” on 27 October 2024 in the Chancery premises to voice against unjust Indian occupation since the last 77 years and support for the suppressed people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

On the occasion, a large public gathering was held where large numbers of Pakistani community residing in Syria, Pakistani students and prominent members of Syrian Society, officials of the Embassy and Pakistan International School of Damascus participated to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people. A separate presentation was also given to prominent members of Syrian Society and diplomats to highlight the plight of Kashmiri people.

Keeping in view the local conditions and sensitivities, the mission organized (i) Social media campaign, (ii) Pictorial exhibition and (iii) a large scale event with speeches by participants, to observe the day.

At the end of the event, the Ambassador in his speech briefed the audience about the background of the day and the disputed territory of Kashmir and the atrocities perpetrated by the Indian army in the occupied IIOJK. He also read out messages of the President, Prime Minister of Pakistan and Foreign Minister regarding “Black Day”, and reiterated Pakistan’s continued unflinching political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of IIOJK. He informed the gathering that since 5 august 2019, Kashmiris have suffered the worst human rights violations by Indian Occupation Forces including military siege and unprecedented restrictions on fundamental freedoms. Concluding the event, H.E. briefed the community that the main purpose of observance is to send a clear and loud message to the world players to pay heed to the miseries of the Kashmiri people and come forward to ensure solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions and the will of the people of Kashmir expressed through democratic means of a free and impartial plebiscite. 

Pakistan Embassy Damascus,

27 October, 2024