ISLAMABAD: President of Pakistan on Sunday said that Pakistan reiterated its moral, diplomatic and political support for the ‘cause of the people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir’.
“27th October marks one of the darkest chapters of the Jammu & Kashmir history. On this day, seven decades ago, Indian forces landed in Srinagar to occupy, subjugate, oppress and terrorize the innocent people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IoK) in blatant violation of international law,” President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi said in a statement.
The statement added that the United Nations Security Council through several of its resolutions, has validated the Kashmiris’ right to decide their future through a fair and impartial plebiscite.
“Despite its commitment to the international community to enforce these resolutions, India has embarked on a path of punitive suppression and pathological genocide that continues to this day,” President Alvi said
Pakistan’s President said that India does not realize that it is “impossible to crush the spirit of a people once they commit to the achievement of their freedom” and added “Pakistan strongly supports the OHCHR (UN High Commissioner for Human Rights) Report’s recommendation to constitute a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to analyze the human rights situation in Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir.”
On Friday, the Interior Ministry on Friday issued a notification to this effect, urging people to wear black armbands and observe a minute-long silence at 1pm on Saturday.
The Kashmiris in the Indian administered Kashmir went on a general strike this week to bring international attention to what they say are Indian killings and brutalities against innocent civilians in the region. Prior to that, the valley witnessed gunbattles between security personnel and armed inhabitants of the area which resulted in several casualties.
Indian forces have been accused of using explosives in densely-populated areas, as some residents blame them for detonating bombs in areas where they suspect the presence of armed rebels. It may be recalled that the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights launched a first-of-its-kind report on violence perpetrated by Indian forces in Kashmir, in June this year.
The report mentioned an excessive use of force against innocent civilians along with other brutal tactics – as such sexual violence and enforced disappearances – which were frequently being used to break the will of Kashmiris. While India dismissed the report as “tendentious and motivated”, Pakistan has undertaken several diplomatic initiatives to bring international attention to the Indian oppression of the region.
Pakistan’s army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, while visiting troops at the Line of Control on Thursday, described the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan as an unfinished business of partition of 1947.
The Kashmiris have been uprising against Indian forces since 1989. According to some estimates, about 70,000 people have lost their lives since then. The residents of the valley say they will to continue to 'struggle for their self-determination.'
Pakistan observes ‘Kashmir Black Day’
Pakistan observes ‘Kashmir Black Day’
- Pakistan said it reiterates its moral, diplomatic and political support for Kashmir
- Army chief described the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan as an unfinished business of partition of 1947
India captain says will travel for Pakistan clash despite boycott
- Pakistan have announced they will boycott their match against India on Feb. 15 in Sri Lanka
- India need to be at the stadium on Feb. 15 to ensure they are awarded two points for match
MUMBAI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav said Thursday that his team would show up in Colombo for their T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, despite their Group A opponents and arch-rivals boycotting the match.
“We haven’t said no to playing them (Pakistan),” Yadav told reporters at Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium, where India will begin their campaign against the United States on Saturday’s opening day.
“They are the ones who have said no. Our flights are booked and we are going to Colombo.”
India need to be at the stadium and ready to take the field for the February 15 match in order to make sure of being awarded the two points for a match forfeit.
The tournament, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, has been overshadowed by weeks of political posturing in the build-up.
Bangladesh were kicked out for refusing to play in India and Pakistan’s government then told its team not to show up at the clash of the arch-rivals as a show of support for Bangladesh.
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in global or regional tournaments events.
India start the T20 World Cup on home soil with a great chance of retaining the title they won two years ago and Yadav agreed they were the side to beat.
“The way we have been playing, it looks like we are the favorites,” he smiled.
If that seemed like an overconfident statement, the India captain was quick to caution: “There are 19 (other) good teams in the tournament, though.
“On a given day, when you play, you have to bring your A-game and play good cricket.”
India know that their opening opponents, the United States, caused the biggest upset of the 2024 tournament when they beat Pakistan in a super over.
Yadav said no team would be taken lightly.
“I’m sure every game will be very important,” he said.
