ISLAMABAD: With an aim to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people, Pakistan’s embassy in Riyadh observed the ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ in the Saudi capital, a statement released by the embassy on Friday read.
The event, which was held on February 7, was attended by the Ambassador of Pakistan, Raja Ali Ejaz and several other community members who highlighted the various aspects of the Kashmir dispute.
“The ambassador highlighted the efforts of Pakistan for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. The ambassador stated that the report of United Nations Human Rights Council exposes the grave human rights violations in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” the statement read.
Other speakers denounced the indiscriminate use of pellet guns on civilians. During the course of the event, Kashmiri representatives presented a resolution which was endorsed by all the participants. The resolution commended Pakistan for its “political, moral and diplomatic support of the Kashmir dispute”.
“It also called upon the international community to fulfil its obligations by implementing the UN Security Council’s resolutions on Kashmir which states that the final resolution of the dispute shall be in accordance with the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir conducted through an independent plebiscite under the UN auspices,” the statement added.
Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed across Pakistan on February 5 every year, with Pakistan’s embassies and diplomatic missions across the world organizing special events to mark the occasion. This year, the government of Pakistan re-affirmed its “unflinching support” to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination.
Pakistan embassy in Riyadh observes ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’
Pakistan embassy in Riyadh observes ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’
- Ambassador highlighted the efforts undertaken by Islamabad in resolving decades-old dispute with New Delhi
- Riyadh gathering was attended by members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri communities
Pakistan says mosque data collection in Indian-administered Kashmir violates religious freedom
- Indian police distributed forms to collect details of mosques, including finances of institutions and personal details of imams
- The exercise has triggered widespread concern in the territory, with a local leader calling it ‘infringement of the religious freedom’
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday condemned reported profiling of mosques and their management committees in Indian-administered Kashmir, calling it “blatant intrusion into religious affairs.”
Police distributed forms to local officials to collect details of mosques, seminaries in Indian-administered Kashmir, including finances of the institutions, personal details of imams and members of management committees, Hindustan Times reported this week, citing residents.
The police referred to the busting of a “white collar terror module” last year, which included an imam, as the reason for the exercise that has triggered widespread concern in the territory, with National Conference leader Aga Ruhullah Mehdi calling it “infringement of the religious freedom.”
Pakistan’s foreign office said the forcible collection of personal details, photographs and sectarian affiliations of religious functionaries amounts to systematic harassment, aimed at “instilling fear among worshippers and obstructing the free exercise of their faith.”
“This blatant intrusion into religious affairs constitutes a grave violation of the fundamental right to freedom of religion and belief, and reflects yet another coercive attempt to intimidate and marginalize the Muslim population of the occupied territory,” the Pakistani foreign office said.
There was no immediate response from New Delhi to the statement.
Kashmir has been divided between Pakistan and India since their independence from Britain in 1947. Both countries have fought two of their four wars over the disputed region, which is ruled in part but claimed in its entirety by both India and Pakistan.
The Pakistani foreign office said the people of Indian-administered Kashmir possess an inalienable right to practice their religion “without fear, coercion or discrimination.”
“Pakistan will continue to stand in solidarity with them and will persist in raising its voice against all forms of religious persecution and intolerance targeting Kashmiris,” it added.
