Pakistan observes Black Day today, marking 77 years since Indian forces entered Jammu and Kashmir. Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch underscored Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to supporting Kashmir's freedom movement.
Describing October 27 as "the darkest day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir," Baloch reiterated that despite India’s efforts, it cannot weaken the resolve of Kashmiris. "All of Pakistan stands in solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters," Baloch stated, assuring continued political, diplomatic, and moral support for Kashmiris.
The day is observed globally to highlight the Kashmir issue, with Pakistan advocating for international awareness and action against Indian occupation. "This is an annual reminder of the struggle and sacrifice of Kashmiris," Baloch noted, emphasizing Pakistan’s stance in support of their right to self-determination.
Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and world over are observing Black Day today to send a message of rejecting India's illegal occupation of their homeland.
It was on October 27, 1947 that Indian troops invaded Jammu and Kashmir in blatant violation of the Partition Plan and occupied region against the will of the Kashmiri people.
The day is being marked by a complete shutdown in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Protest marches, rallies, and seminars will be held in Pakistan and across the globe.
In Azad Kashmir, protest marches, rallies and seminars will also be held at all the Districts and Tehsil headquarters to condemn the Indian Army's invasion on October 27, 1947 and the revocation of the special status of IIOJK by the BJP-led Hindutva government of India.
In the state capital Muzaffarabad, Kashmir Liberation Commission has arranged a protest demonstration followed by a rally.
Similarly, Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmiri Refugees, other Hurriyat organizations and political and religious parties have arranged anti-India rallies and seminars to observe the Black Day.
President AJK Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry and Prime Minister Ch Anwarul Haq have appealed Kashmiris all over the world to register their protest against India.
In their messages on the occasion of "Kashmir Black Day" today, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have said that Pakistan will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its Kashmiri brothers and sisters until they achieve their inalienable right to self-determination.
The President urged the international community to pressurize India to halt its human rights’ abuses in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, alleviate the suffering of Kashmiris and implement UN Security Council resolutions.
He strongly condemned India's ongoing atrocities in IIOJ&K and reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering moral, diplomatic, and political support for the Kashmiri people's just cause.
PM, President messages
In his separate message, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said the people of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir had suffered countless hardships during the last seventy-seven years.
He said India had been taking successive steps to tighten its grip over IIOJK since August 05, 2019. India’s nefarious designs are aimed at undermining the disputed status of IIOJK and denying the Kashmiri people their democratic right to decide their own future.
In his message on Black Day today, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said this day marks the beginning of a prolonged and painful chapter for the region.
He said over the past seven decades, India has employed various strategies to strengthen its control over Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir but since 5th August 2019, an accelerated effort to undermine the internationally recognized disputed status of territory has been witnessed.
Ishaq Dar said actions taken by Indian authorities, including attempts to alter the demographic and political landscape of the territory, are in direct violation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Geneva Convention.
He said the occupied territory is witnessing an intensification of repression with thousands of political leaders and activists behind bars, draconian emergency and counterterrorism laws granting Indian forces sweeping powers to arrest or eliminate any individual.
He said despite all this, the spirit and determination of the Kashmiri people endure, as they continue their peaceful struggle for justice and self-determination.
Referring to the recent elections for the Legislative Assembly of IIOJK, the Deputy Prime Minister said any such exercise amidst an overwhelming military presence, cannot be considered a substitute for the legitimate right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people.
He said Pakistan remains committed to promoting peace in South Asia and seeks constructive relations with all neighbors.
He however categorically stated that lasting peace in the region cannot be realized without a just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in line with the UN Security Council Resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON Engineer Amir Muqam has reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to continue extending political, diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris.
In his message on the occasion of Kashmir Black Day today, he said India is committing worst human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and trying to stop the struggle of Kashmiris through military atrocities.
The Minister said entire Pakistani nation pays tribute to the brave and courageous Kashmiris who are continuing their struggle despite India's brutal actions.
In his message, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has called upon the international community to play its role for peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute and stop India from violating human rights in the territory.
He said despite Indian atrocities, the Kashmiri people are fighting bravely for their freedom and they will never accept India's usurpation of their homeland.
The Minister said Pakistan is a staunch advocate of Kashmiris' right to self-determination and has never backed down from advocating their legitimate cause in the world.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's bold stand on the Kashmir dispute is a strong expression of Pakistan's unwavering commitment to the Kashmir cause and its desire for a just and peaceful resolution of the dispute.
Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan has always stood with the Kashmiri people and will continue to support their right to self-determination.
He said the only acceptable solution to the Kashmir dispute is a plebiscite under the supervision of the United Nations.
