Pakistanis, Kashmiris observe Black Day against decades of Indian occupation. President Zardari, PM Shehbaz call upon world community to exert pressure on India to halt its ongoing human rights abuses in IIOJK and implement UN resolutions.
ISLAMABAD - Pakistanis and Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and worldwide observed Kashmir Black Day on Sunday, marking 77 years since Indian troops illegally entered into the valley on October 27, 1947.
It was on this day in 1947 that Indian troops invaded Jammu and Kashmir in blatant violation of the Partition Plan and occupied the region against the will of the Kashmiri people. Over 3.5 million Kashmiris were forced to migrate to Azad Kashmir, Pakistan and other parts of the world.
Pakistan condemned the continued atrocities being committed by the Indian occupied forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and reiterated to continue to extend its full moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiris until the final resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
President Asif Ali Zardari called upon the international community to exert pressure on India to halt its ongoing human rights abuses in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), alleviate the suffering of Kashmiris, and implement UN Security Council resolutions.
“Pakistan will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its Kashmiri brothers and sisters until they achieve their inalienable right to self-determination,” the president said in a message on the occasion of “Kashmir Black Day”, 27 October 2024.
The president said October 27, 1947, marked a dark chapter in South Asian history when India sent troops to occupy Jammu and Kashmir. For decades, the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have endured brutal repression by Indian forces. Over the years, he said India had transformed IIOJK into one of the most militarised regions in the world. Thousands of innocent Kashmiris have been killed, while their legitimate leaders remain imprisoned, and local media is heavily censored.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also said Pakistan has always expressed its unwavering solidarity with Kashmiri brothers and sisters and it will continue to extend its full moral, diplomatic and political support to them until the final resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
In his message on the occasion of ‘Kashmir Black Day’ – 27 October 2024, the prime minister said on this day 77 years ago, Indian forces landed in Srinagar. India has since stifled the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people to determine their destiny. It has failed to fulfil its obligations under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
He said the people of IIOJK had suffered countless hardships during the last seventy-seven years. However, their resolve to realize their inalienable right to self-determination remains as firm as it was in 1947.
Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage, and Culture, Attaullah Tarar said that October 27, 1947, was the darkest day in the history of the subcontinent, as on that day India illegally occupied the state of Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).
In his message on October 27, Black Day of Kashmiris, he said on that day, India illegally annexed Jammu and Kashmir by landing its troops against the wishes of Kashmiris.
“Despite the atrocities and brutal policies of the Indian fascist government, the valiant Kashmiri people are fighting bravely for their freedom,” said the minister.
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Engineer Amir Maqam, led a rally in the federal capital on the occasion of Kashmir Black Day to express solidarity with the people of IIOJK.
Addressing to the rally participants here, the minister reminded the people about October 27, 1947, when Indian forces entered Jammu and Kashmir illegally, stating, “No Pakistani can forget this day.”
Commending Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for raising the Kashmir and Palestine issues at the UN General Assembly in September 2024, Amir Maqam reassured that Pakistan will continue to support Kashmir’s political, diplomatic, and moral cause until Kashmiris achieve their right to self-determination.
Speaking at the rally, Parliamentary Secretary for Kashmir Affairs Chaudhry Anwar Ul Haq said that Pakistan had always stood with Kashmiris brothers to get their right of self-determination.
He said that despite resolving the Kashmir issue as per UN resolutions, India once again violating international laws, revoked the special status of Kashmir in 2019.
Chairman Kashmir Committee (KC), Rana Qasim Noon urged the global institutions to uphold UN resolutions and initiate dialogue with Kashmiris, reiterating that India’s Independence Day is observed as Black Day in Kashmir as a symbol of resistance.
Addressing Kashmir solidarity rally participants, he underscored Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Kashmir’s right to self-determination and appealed for international intervention.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh said that on October 27, 1947, India started state terrorism against Kashmiris and violating human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) for 77 years.
In a message on the occasion of Kashmir Black Day, the minister said that Pakistan would continue to provide moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in this difficult time.
Azad Jammu Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, while terming October 27 as the blackest day in the history of ancient Jammu & Kashmir state, has said that it was on this fateful day in 1947 when India invaded Kashmir and forcibly occupied the territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a special message issued on the eve of “Black Day,” observed at both sides of the line of control and the rest of the world, Oct. 27, the president said that India’s belligerent military occupation has been the main cause and consequence of unrest and human rights violations in the region.
AJK Prime Minister Ch Anwarul Haq have appealed Kashmiris all over the world to register their protest against India.
Mushaal Hussein Mullick, wife of Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, called upon the youth to play a vital role in keeping the Kashmir cause alive.
Addressing to a Kashmir solidarity rally, she emphasized the importance of remembering this day annually, saying, “Every Pakistani stands in solidarity on this day.”
Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Chairman of J&K People’s Freedom League and former Convener the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), stated that this year’s Black Day observance send a clear message to India, affirming that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will not tolerate further division or repeated aggression.