Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has issued a powerful statement commemorating the Right to Self-Determination Day for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The day marks the historic commitment made by the United Nations.
A Pledge Unfulfilled: The UN Resolution on Kashmir
In his message, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari emphasized that on January 5, 1949, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution guaranteeing the right to self-determination for the Kashmiri people through a free and impartial plebiscite. He stated that this promise, made over seven decades ago, remains unfulfilled due to India's persistent refusal to comply with international law and its own commitments.
The PPP Chairman underscored that the right to self-determination is a fundamental principle enshrined in the UN Charter. He lamented that the people of IIOJK have been denied this basic right for generations, suffering under a brutal military occupation that has intensified in recent years, especially after India's illegal actions of August 5, 2019.
Solidarity and the Call for International Action
Bilawal expressed the PPP's unwavering solidarity with the Kashmiri people in their just struggle. He paid rich tribute to their courage and resilience in the face of severe oppression, human rights violations, and attempts to alter the demographic structure of the occupied territory.
He called upon the international community, particularly the United Nations, to take practical steps to implement its own resolutions on Kashmir. The PPP leader argued that global peace and security are linked to the resolution of longstanding disputes like Kashmir, in accordance with the wishes of its people.
Pakistan's Stance and the Path Forward
Reiterating Pakistan's principled position, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari affirmed that Pakistan will continue to extend moral, political, and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri freedom movement until they achieve their legitimate right to self-determination. He positioned this support as a cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy.
The statement concluded with a hopeful note, expressing confidence that the Kashmiri people will ultimately succeed in their struggle. Bilawal envisioned a future where they can decide their own destiny peacefully, as promised by the world community so many years ago.
