The Kashmir Black Day being observed in Pakistan and across the world today is distinct from the past. On 27 October 1947, India had illegally occupied Jammu & Kashmir, and, on 5th August 2019, it took further steps to unilaterally alter the disputed status of the territory and change its demographic structure and identity. Pakistan, the Kashmiris, and the Muslim Ummah, have categorically rejected this travesty of law and justice.
Since 5th August 2019, the scale and intensity of the Indian government's human rights violations have increased several-folds. Through the deployment of additional troops and an unprecedented media and communications blackout, that has continued for almost three months, Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOJ&K) has been turned into the largest prison on the planet. There is a shortage of medicines and essential food items.Thousands have been arbitrarily detained. Thousands of young boys have been abducted, incarcerated in the disclosed locations, and subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment. The Indian state-terrorism has turned even more atrocious.
The world community, international human rights organizations and the international media are calling India out on this tyranny. The facade of India being the so-called 'largest democracy' stands fully exposed.
Pakistan demands the immediate lifting of the curfew and communications blackout as well as rescinding of India's illegal and unilateral actions. We urge the international community to play its role in ensuring respect for the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people and averting grave risks to peace and security posed by India's irresponsible actions.
We express our unshakable solidarity with the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir and assure our Kashmiri brothers and sisters that Pakistan will always be shoulder-to-shoulder with them. Pakistan will continue its full moral, political and diplomatic support until the Kashmiri people realize their legitimate right to self-determination in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the applicable UN Security Council resolutions.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019