Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has declared that a just and fair resolution of the long-standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute is the fundamental prerequisite for achieving sustainable peace across South Asia. He made these remarks in a powerful message commemorating the Right to Self-Determination Day, observed annually on January 5.
A Historic Commitment Unfulfilled
The Prime Minister emphasized that this date serves as a critical reminder of the international community's historic pledge. This promise, he noted, is enshrined in the United Nations Security Council resolutions, which guarantee the right to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He specifically referenced the landmark resolution adopted by the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) on January 5, 1949, which mandated that the future of the state be decided through a free and impartial plebiscite conducted by the UN.
"Sadly, this commitment remains unfulfilled to this day," stated PM Shehbaz, attributing the failure directly to India's illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. He lamented that the resolution has never been implemented, leaving the Kashmiri people in a state of prolonged conflict and uncertainty.
Escalation of Suffering Since 2019
PM Shehbaz detailed the escalating hardships faced by Kashmiris, which he said have intensified manifold since August 5, 2019. On that date, India undertook unilateral and illegal actions, revoking the special status of the region. The Prime Minister described this as part of a systematic campaign to alter the demographic and political landscape of what Pakistan terms Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
He outlined a grim picture of the current situation, accusing India of widespread human rights violations. His message included a stark list of alleged abuses:
- Thousands of Kashmiri political prisoners remain incarcerated.
- Sixteen political organizations have been banned by the occupation authorities.
- Profiling and harassment of innocent civilians, arbitrary detentions, and coercive cordon-and-search operations have become commonplace.
- Efforts to silence genuine Kashmiri leadership and muzzle the media continue unabated.
A Call for Global Action and Unwavering Support
In his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a direct appeal to the world. "We urge the international community to urgently call upon India to halt its widespread human rights violations in IIOJK, reverse its unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August 2019, repeal the draconian laws, and give the right to self-determination to the Kashmiri people," he asserted.
Reaffirming Pakistan's steadfast position, the Prime Minister vowed that the nation would continue to be the voice of Kashmiris on every available platform. Pakistan will extend its unwavering moral, political, and diplomatic support to their just cause. He saluted the indomitable courage, commitment, and resilience of the Kashmiri people in the face of what he described as Indian atrocities, stating that all coercive measures have failed to subjugate their will.
"Today, as we commemorate the Right to Self-determination Day, we solemnly reaffirm our unwavering support for the people of IIOJK in their just struggle," PM Shehbaz concluded, framing the Kashmir issue not merely as a territorial dispute but as a fundamental question of human rights and international law.
