ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan assured the Kashmiri people that they had the full support of Pakistan with them, in a recorded statement that aired on Sunday, a day that was observed as “Black Day” by Pakistanis and Kashmiris on both sides of the line of control (LoC) to mark the anniversary of a 1947 Indian invasion of the region.
Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan along the LoC, a cease-fire line and de-facto border which is among the most militarized in the world. Both countries claim the Muslim-majority region in full but own it in part. Since 1989, more than 40,000 people have been killed in an insurgency in Indian-administered Kashmir.
On Aug 5, India flooded the valley with troops, imposed a curfew and scrapped Kashmir’s special status, which has brought relations between the two nuclear armed rivals to an all-time diplomatic low.
Addressing the Kashmiri people, Khan said, “All of Pakistan is standing by you,” and said he was their counsel and spokesperson, and would continue speaking up for them around the world until Kashmiris were given their rights.
The premier also said the United Nations had already recognized the Kashmiris’ right of self-determination.
A complete shutdown was observed in Indian-administered Kashmir on Sunday, Radio Pakistan reported.
“The 72 year struggle of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination will be highlighted on this day,” Radio Pakistan quoted Foreign Office spokesperson Dr. Mohammad Faisal as saying. “The world will be apprised once again of the enormity of the situation in the Indian occupied Kashmir.”
The spokesperson said Pakistan would use Black Day to demand of the international community that it fulfil its promises of granting the right of self-determination to Kashmiris.
In a statement, Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi applauded the “exemplary resilience and grit” of Kashmiris in the face of “Indian aggression.”
“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 Kashmir Black Day, we also reiterate our firm and continued political, moral and diplomatic support to [them] in their grand struggle until they achieve their legitimate right of self-determination as per the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Several programs, including rallies and seminars, have been planned throughout the country to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir, Radio Pakistan said.
“Instructions have also been given to Pakistani missions abroad to organize events and engage with the Pakistani diaspora, local parliamentarians, think-tanks and other relevant people to highlight the significance of the day,” the station added.
A black day event will be held in Azad Kashmir’s state capital of Muzaffarabad, with Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan presiding.
A rally is expected to be taken out after the function.
In Indian-administered Kashmir, a complete shutdown is being observed. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Gilani has called on the people of Indian-administered Kashmir to march toward the iconic Lal Chowk square in Srinagar and hold a sit-in protest.
