An event was organized at the Pakistan High Commission, Dhaka today to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day. Members of Pakistani community, Bangladeshi students, human rights activists, lawyers, journalists and academicians attended the event.

In their messages on the occasion, President Mr. Asif Ali Zardari,

Prime Minister Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar underscored that the Indian illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir is the core dispute between Pakistan and India. Over a period of time, Indian actions have surpassed beyond sporadic violations of the fundamental rights of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) into an entrenched and systematic oppression. The unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August 2019 eroded legal safeguards and local institutions and imposed extreme measures to extend its permanent control over the disputed territory. They noted that Pakistan will continue to provide moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris until the realization of their inalienable Right to Self Determination.

Local students, human rights activists and members of legal fraternity also addressed the audience on this occasion. While paying tribute to the resilience of people of IIOJK and their valiant freedom movement against the Indian occupation, the speakers emphasized that the dangerous military escalation initiated by India in May last year is a stark reminder that durable peace in South Asia remains a distant dream unless the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is resolved. They called upon India to desist from grave human rights violations against Kashmiris and urged the international community to resolve Jammu and Kashmir dispute through a free and fair plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

The High Commissioner Mr. Imran Haider thanked the participants for expressing solidarity with their oppressed Kashmiri brothers and sisters.

A photo exhibition highlighting atrocities of the Indian occupation forces in IIOJK was also organized on this occasion.