Islamabad, February 5, 2025 – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, in his message on Kashmir Solidarity Day, urged the international community to take a firm stance in ensuring that India grants the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination.
He emphasized that lasting peace in South Asia cannot be achieved by suppressing the legitimate aspirations of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Speaking on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, the prime minister highlighted that the world must learn from ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, where unresolved disputes have led to long-term instability and suffering. He reiterated that such issues must not be allowed to persist, particularly in IIOJK, where millions continue to live under oppression.
“The Government and people of Pakistan observe Kashmir Solidarity Day each year to express their unwavering commitment to the Kashmiri people’s just and legitimate struggle for their fundamental right to self-determination,” Shehbaz stated. He underscored that self-determination is a cornerstone of international law, reaffirmed annually by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolutions.
Despite the passage of seventy-eight years, the prime minister lamented that the Kashmiri people have yet to exercise this right. He noted that IIOJK remains one of the most militarized zones in the world, where residents live under constant surveillance, fear, and intimidation.
“The situation in IIOJK continues to deteriorate, with political activists and human rights defenders facing prolonged detention, confiscation of properties, and a complete clampdown on free speech,” he said. “Political parties representing the true voice of the Kashmiri people have been banned, exposing India’s intent to crush dissent and consolidate its illegal occupation,” he added.
Shehbaz also condemned India’s August 5, 2019, actions, describing them as part of a broader strategy to engineer demographic and political changes that would marginalize the Kashmiri people in their own homeland.
Reiterating Pakistan’s firm stance, the prime minister stated, “The Jammu and Kashmir dispute will remain a fundamental pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Pakistan will continue to extend its unwavering moral, diplomatic, and political support to the Kashmiri people until they achieve their right to self-determination as outlined in UN Security Council resolutions.”
As Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed nationwide, Shehbaz paid tribute to the resilience of Kashmiris, acknowledging their countless sacrifices in their struggle for justice and freedom. He vowed that Pakistan would always stand in solidarity with the Kashmiri people, ensuring that their voices are heard on global platforms.