Pakistan High Commission observes Kashmir Solidarity Day

The Pakistan High Commission in Male’ held a ceremony on Sunday to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day.

The ceremony, held at the Pakistan High Commission to reaffirm support for Kashmiris in their struggle for self-determination in the Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, was attended by Pakistanis and Maldivians alike.

The function began with recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by welcome remarks from Deputy High Commissioner Zulqurnain Ahmad.

It followed the national anthem of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and a documentary on Kashmir.

In his remarks, Zulqurnain said the Kashmiris are struggling not for a piece of land but for peace of soul.

“It is their struggle for right against wrongs; the struggle for liberalism against fascism, the struggle for freedom against suppression, and the struggle to attain the legitimate rights to self-determination. The right which was promised to them by India and the international community,” he said.

Zulqurnain said that the United Nations Commission on India and Pakistan adopted a resolution on January 5, 1949, guaranteeing a free and impartial plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Unfortunately, it was not held despite passing of 75 years,” he said.

In his remarks, Pakistan High Commissioner Vice Admiral (retired) Muhammad Fayyaz Gilani spoke about rights violations in Kashmir.

He noted that the Kashmir dispute is one of the oldest unresolved items on the agenda of the United Nations.

He said that the attack on the district identity and culture of Kashmiris through demographic changes and economic marginalization were in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and international law, including the 4th Geneva Convention.

“Pakistan will continue to extend moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri brethren in their just cause till the realization of their right to self-determination,” he said.

Gilani urged the Muslim Ummah to play a greater role towards the settlement of the long outstanding Kashmir dispute.

“The durable peace and development in the region hinge on peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions and as per aspiration of the Kashmiri people,” he said.

The function concluded with special prayers offered for the martyrs of the Kashmir and for the freedom of Kashmir.