–PM assures APHC delegation of Pakistan’s diplomatic, political and moral support for Kashmiris
–FO urges India to realise it cannot fool the world with its accusations of terrorism despite being a perpetrator of it
–Restrictions tightened in Srinagar as Kashmiris hold protests on account of Black Day
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday reaffirmed diplomatic, political and moral support to the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), as the nation observed Black Day to protest India’s atrocities in the occupied territory.
The Pakistani nation and the Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and from all over the world observed Black Day on Sunday to convey to the world that they reject India’s illegal occupation of Kashmir and will continue their struggle to achieve Kashmiris’ inalienable right to self-determination.
Besides occupied Kashmir, protest rallies were held in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan and world capitals to denounce India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a video message, the premier said that the entire Pakistani nation, including minorities, is standing behind the people of Kashmir in their just struggle for right to self-determination.
He said that he highlighted the Kashmir issue in his speech at UNGA and during interactions with other world leaders.
He said that now the international community is aware of the oppression going on in occupied Kashmir at the hands of Indian forces.
The prime minister said Indian Prime Minister Narndera Modi, after coming to power for second term, imposed curfew in Occupied Kashmir and no one knows what is happening in the valley.
He said that Modi regime changed Kashmir’s status by claiming that he wants development there. He added that Modi should hold a referendum if he wants peace, stability, and development in Kashmir.
PM Imran said that all the mainstream political parties of Kashmir boycotted the recently held local government polls in occupied Kashmir. He added that the ruling BJP met a humiliated defeat even in the controlled elections there.
The premier made it clear that anybody talking of crossing the line of control will commit enmity with Kashmir and Pakistan. He said that India is looking for such an opportunity to crush the freedom struggle of Kashmiris. He also said that New Delhi rulers have deployed 900,000 troops to subjugate Kashmiris voice.
He further said that the Modi government wants to hold Pakistan responsible for unrest in Kashmir to deflect attention of the world community from the bloodbath continuing in the valley.
The premier said that Kashmiris’ movement is a political struggle and “we have to extend our moral, diplomatic and political support in this regard”.
He assured the people of Kashmir that he is not only their ambassador, but will also become their spokesperson and advocate supporting their struggle till they achieve their right to self-determination as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council (UJNSC) resolutions.
A delegation of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) also called on the prime minister to express gratitude for vigorously presenting the Kashmir case at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The premier told the delegation that the hearts of the Pakistanis and the Kashmiris beat in harmony He also assured the delegation that the entire Pakistani nation stands with their Kashmiri brethren.
The APHC delegation included Nisar Mirza, Muhammad Hussain Khateeb and Javed Iqbal. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan was also present during the meeting.
Meanwhile, on account of Black Day, the prime minister planted a sapling by the name of ‘Kashmir Freedom Tree’. He and other government officials present on the occasion prayed for regional peace and prosperity.
RESTRICTIONS TIGHTENED IN SRINAGAR:
While there was already a complete shutdown as silent protest against India’s illegal August 5 decision, restrictions were further imposed to prevent a march towards Lal Chowk, Srinagar on Sunday. Call for the march was given by the APHC led by Syed Ali Gilani. Indian forces were deployed in every nook and corner of Srinagar and adjoining areas.
The observance of the Black Day, this year, was also aimed at drawing attention of the international community towards the sufferings of the people of occupied Kashmir due to the continued military lockdown imposed by India in the territory since 5th August.
‘INDIA SHOULD REALISE IT CANNOT FOOL WORLD’:
The Foreign Office (FO) also reiterated its support for besieged Kashmiri people on the occasion of Black Day while calling on India to realise that it cannot fool the world forever and that its tried and trite accusations of terrorism, while simultaneously being the principle perpetrator of it, have little import with the international community
In a statement, FO Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said, “On this day 72 years ago, Indian forces landed in Srinagar to occupy and oppress the innocent people of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) in a clear violation of international law and norms.”
“On August 5, 2019, same India endeavoured to rob the people of Kashmir of their last semblance of independence and autonomy by indulging in shambolic, illegal fraudulence and by accepting to lead to a demographic change in occupied Kashmir, he added.
“For almost three months now, the Kashmiris have been prisoners in their own homes, aliens in their own land and unwelcome on their own roads. The whole IOK has been turned with a de-facto prison,” he further said.
Dr Faisal highlighted that despite Indian spin doctors’ best attempts, the world has taken notice. “India has been called out, criticized and castigated by friend and foe alike. The entire international media has come forth and called out India’s shame democracy and bogus egalitarianism in unison,” he said.
“In spite of the horrendous Indian atrocities and apathy on behalf of a large part of the international community, the brave people of Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir have demonstrated exemplary resilience and grit in the face of Indian aggression,” he added.
“I would like to assure my Kashmiri brothers and sisters, that not only do we commemorate their exemplary grit and spirit on the occasion of the Black Day. We also reiterate our firm and continued political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of IOK in their grand struggle until they achieve their legitimate right of self-determination as per the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions,” he concluded.