Youm-e-Istehsaal

The Embassy of Pakistan in Kyiv observed 5th August 2020 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. Arif Alvi, the Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi were read out on this occasion.

H.E. Zahid Mubashir Sheikh, Ambassador 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 one year ago on this day, Modi’s fascist regime illegally and against all international laws and relevant UNSC  resolutions revoked article 370 and 35A. Anticipating severe protests and response from Kashmiri people, the Indian Government deployed more troops taking the number of total Indian forces in the IIOJK to around 1 million. The whole valley was put in a complete state of lockdown; all kinds of communications were blocked whereas Kashmiri leadership and youth were put in prison.

The Ambassador expressed that due to Pakistan’s active diplomacy and support of international community, the issue of IIOJK has been raised twice, on August 16, 2019 and January 15, 2020 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 Right 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 lift curfew, remove communication blackout, respect and protect human rights of the Kashmiri people.

The Ambassador further said that the Indian brutality has not stopped and the siege of kashmir continues till today. The whole valley has been turned into the largest prison on earth and inspite of condemnation and appeals by the international community to lift the restrictions, the Indian Government did not budge. The restrictions imposed by indian Government in the IIOJK are causing immense suffering to the Kashmiri people especially women, children, the elderly and sick. The Indian government’s actions have resulted in the shortage food and medicine in the IIOJK. The people are unable to go to work or mosques; children are unable to attend their school and as a whole Kasmiris are barred from celebrating their holy festivals. Thousands of Kashmiris have been detained. People’s rights to peaceful assembly, free movemet, and observance of religious obligations are being trampled upon. The Indian rule of tyranny is unfolding an unimaginable level of human catastrophe in the IIOJK.

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.

Kyiv,

5 August 2020