TEXT: On 5 August 2019, India repealed the special status granted to the Kashmiris by revoking Article 370 and 35A of the constitution. India's attempted annexation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) was a blatant violation of United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) Resolutions. India's action unfolded a new regime of atrocities and terror whereby thousands of innocent Kashmiris have been brutally tortured, raped and extra-judiciously killed during forced disappearances under draconian laws. Many independent Human Rights Organizations have also expressed concerns over these developments.

We salute the brave people of IIOJK who are struggling for the past 73 years with their strong and unflinching resolve to achieve the inalienable right to self-determination from Indian subjugation. Around 900,000 troops from Indian occupation forces have converted the region into the largest prison in the world.

Pakistan and Kashmir are inseparable ideologically, demographically and geographically. Kashmir is an unfinished agenda of partition and would remain so until it is resolved as per the UN Resolutions and the will of Kashmiris. Sacrifices of thousands of Kashmiris will not go in vain.

Pakistan Armed Forces stand with Kashmiri brethren in this difficult time and reaffirm our commitment to a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Resolutions and aspirations of the people of IIOJK for their right to self-determination.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020