YOUM-E-ISTEHSAL KASHMIR DAY OBSERVED BY PAKISTAN HIGH COMMISSION, COLOMBO.

The Pakistan High Commission, friends of Pakistan, diplomatic community and Pakistani diaspora jointly commemorated Kashmir Youm-e-Istehsal day. Four years have passed since 5 August 2019 when India took unilateral and illegal actions aimed at altering the internationally recognized disputed status of IIOJK and changing the demographic structure of the occupied territory.

The keynote speakers aptly highlighted the plight of the Kashmiris living in IIOJK. They said that this dispute is one of the oldest items on the agenda of the UN Security Council. Unfortunately, it remains unresolved due to India’s obstinate refusal to honour its commitments and its disrespect for the fundamental human rights and international law.

In his concluding remarks, the High Commissioner, Major General (Retd) Umar Farooq Burki HI (M) also underscored the oppression and brutalization of innocent Kashmiris through an inhuman military siege, communications blockade, cordon-and-search-operations, fake “encounters”, extra-judicial killings of Kashmiri youth, use of pellet guns, and collective punishment of entire communities and neighbourhoods that still prevails, in sheer violation of human basic rights. H.E. further said that the key to durable peace in South Asia is resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Moreover, special messages from the President H.E. Dr. Arif Alvi, the Prime Minister, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Shareef and the Foreign Minister of Pakistan Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were read out for the audience, highlighting the sufferings of the innocent Kashmiris and the resolve of the Government of Pakistan to support the Kashmir cause till it is resolved in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

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