Youm-e-Istehsaal

The Embassy of Pakistan in Kyiv observed 5^th August 2023 as Youm-e-Istehsaal to express solidarity with people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), highlight the atrocities being committed by the Indian Occupation Forces in the last more than seven decades, especially since the revocation of Article 370 by the Indian Government, and reiterate the unwavering support of the people and Government of Pakistan with our Kashmiri brethren. The event started with recitation of the Holy Quran. Afterwards, the messages of the President Dr. ArifAlvi, the Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were read out on this occasion.

H.E. Maj Gen Retd. Nadir Khan, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Ukraine, while addressing the audience, highlighted the grave human rights violations and the reign of tyranny since 1948, and especially in the aftermath of revoking of article 370 and 35A, being imposed on the innocent Kashmiris by the Indian Occupation Forces. He added that India’s unilateral and illegal actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) since 05^th August 2019 aimed at undermining the status of the disputed territory, perpetuating its illegal occupation, and altering its demographic structure, and the unabated widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and state-terrorism perpetrated against the innocent Kashmiris have further vitiated the environment and threatened international peace and security. The Indian Government deployed more troops taking the number of total Indian forces in the IIOJK to around 1 million.

The Ambassador expressed that due to Pakistan’s active diplomacy and support of international community, the issue of IIOJK has been raised several times in the UN Security Council which has once again supported Pakistan’s claim that IIOJK is an internationally recognized disputed territory, on the agenda of the UN, to be resolved as per the wishes of Kashmiris and UNSC resolutions. The world has taken notice of the Indian atrocities and human rights violations in the IIOJK. The UN Secretary General, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nation’s Rights Experts, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the Parliament of European Union and OIC have expressed deep concern over the human rights violations in Kashmir and have called on India to respect and protect human rights of the Kashmiri people.

It was further added the Government of Pakistan condemns the illegal, unilateral, reckless and coercive attempt by India to alter the disputed status of IIOJK as enshrined in the UNSC Resolutions. Pakistan will continue to provide moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people till the fate of IIOJK is decided according to the UNSC resolutions and wishes of its people. A special documentary on Kashmir, highlighting the serious human rights violations in the IIOJK, was also screened.

The prominent Muslim Ukrainian scholar, Mr. DillaverSaidakhmetov, Head of Islamic Cultural Centre, Kyiv also spoke on the occasion, highlighting the human rights abuses in the IIOJK, Palestine and Syria. He emphasized the need to create awareness among the Ukrainians about the Kashmir issue to garner further support for the Kashmiri people in their just struggle for self-determination.

Kyiv,                                                                                                              

August 05, 2023