President, Prime Minister Reaffirm Pakistan’s Support for Kashmiris’ Right to Self-Determination

Islamabad, July 20:President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering diplomatic, political, and moral support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle to realize their internationally recognized right to self-determination.

In separate messages issued on Youm-e-Ilhaq-e-Pakistan (Accession to Pakistan Day), the two leaders commemorated the historic resolution adopted by the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference in Srinagar on July 19, 1947. The resolution expressed the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for accession to Pakistan and called upon the then Dogra rulers to respect the will of the people.

The President and the Prime Minister said the occasion serves as a reminder of the enduring historical, cultural, religious, and emotional bonds shared between the people of Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir. They noted that despite the passage of decades, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains unresolved, notwithstanding the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions that recognize the Kashmiri people’s right to determine their own future through a free and impartial plebiscite.

Expressing concern over the continued denial of this fundamental right and the reported human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the leaders reiterated Pakistan’s consistent support for a peaceful and just settlement of the dispute in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

They also urged the international community, particularly the United Nations, to play its due role in ensuring the implementation of its resolutions, emphasizing that the unresolved Kashmir dispute continues to pose serious challenges to lasting peace and stability in South Asia.

Paying tribute to the courage, resilience, and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to stand firmly with them until they achieve their legitimate right to self-determination.