ISLAMABAD: Kashmir Solidarity Day will be observed on Saturday to reiterate Pakistan’s resolve to stand by Kashmiris and extend all possible support to them till the realization of their right to self-determination.
Addressing a news briefing on Friday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmed said Pakistan is deeply concerned about the worsening human rights and security situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IOK), which continues to be under military and police siege.
He said extra-judicial killings of innocent Kashmiris are continued with impunity. “Hardly a day passes without any news of a fake encounter or a so-called cordon-and-search operation by the Indian occupation forces. Since January 1, at least 24 Kashmiris have been martyred in this unabated reign of terror,” he said.
The spokesperson said that the international community must act to stop the wanton oppression and persecution of the besieged Kashmiris under illegal occupation.
He said Pakistan salutes the resilience of the Kashmiri people, who continue to stand firm in their just and peaceful struggle for their legitimate right to self-determination as pledged to them by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
He said the world must take cognizance of the plight of Kashmiris, hold India accountable for its widespread brutalities and human rights violations in IOK.
He also urged the international community to play its due role for resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
