Kashmiris mark black day worldwide against Indian occupation

Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and world over are observing Black Day today to draw the world’s attention to the impending catastrophe caused by India’s continued illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference has called on people to observe the day as a reminder to the world about the urgent need to resolve the Kashmir dispute according to the wishes of its people. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm and continued support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination.

In their separate messages, they said October 27 remains one of the darkest days in history, marking the start of India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir a period filled with violence, oppression, and denial of basic rights. President Zardari condemned the ongoing atrocities in the occupied region and strongly criticized India’s unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, aimed at altering the region’s demography.

He urged the international community, particularly the United Nations, to hold India accountable for grave human rights abuses and to ensure the implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said India continues to deny Kashmiris their right to self-determination and suppresses them through harsh laws, detentions, and curbs on freedom of speech and movement.

He added that Pakistan has consistently raised the voice of the Kashmiri people at all global platforms and will continue to stand by them. The Prime Minister reaffirmed that 240 million Pakistanis stand in solidarity with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their just and peaceful struggle for freedom and dignity.