OBSERVANCE OF “KASHMIR SOLIDARITY DAY” 5th FEBRUARY 2022

A Seminar and Photo Exhibition was held in the Pakistan High Commission, Colombo today to mark “Kashmir Solidarity Day”. The day reaffirms Pakistan’s unconditional support to the Kashmiris in their struggle for right of self-determination. The ceremony was attended by a good number of Foreign Diplomats based in Colombo, Members of Parliament, Pakistani community, friends of Kashmir and local journalists.

The event was addressed by key note speakers; Dr. Asela Wickramasinghe, Senior Political Advisor, Dr. Dona Chandima Wijegunwardana, Politician and Ms. Fatima Razik Qadir, Member of Pak-SL Friendship Association. All speakers stressed upon the peaceful solution of the issue through meaningful dialogue and highlighted the significance of interfaith harmony as well as peaceful co-existence of all. They also expressed their concern regarding sheer human rights violations committed by Indian forces illegally deployed in the IIOJK.

The seminar concluded with remarks delivered by the High Commissioner of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Major General (Retd) Umar Farooq Burki HI(M). He reiterated the resolve of the Government & people of Pakistan that they will always stand shoulder to shoulder with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their hour of need. With the revocation of articles 370 and abolition of 35A, India has blatantly violated UNSC resolutions and its own constitution. He reiterated that Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) has been under brutal violence of Indian troops for more than seven decades and it is high time that the world, especially the United Nations take notice of these human rights violations.

The High Commissioner underscored the comments of Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Imran Khan, who, while addressing the UN General Assembly in 2019 said that for durable peace in South Asia, the Jammu & Kashmir dispute needs to be resolved on the basis of international legitimacy and the Security Council must prevent a disastrous conflict and secure the implementation of its own resolutions. The volatile situation in Kashmir threatens international peace and security with acts of state brutality within Indian controlled Jammu & Kashmir.

Lastly, the High Commissioner thanked the august keynote speakers all invitees for their heartfelt and enthusiastic participation. Earlier, Second Secretary (Political) and Press Attaché read the Kashmir Solidarity Day messages of President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, respectively.

Pictures depicting the human rights violations by Indian occupation forces in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) were displayed at the venue as part of the Photo Exhibition, while digital videos exhibiting beauty and violence in IIOJK were projected during the Seminar.

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Colombo

5th February, 2022