The Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara commemorated Kashmir Solidarity Day today , reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people to realize their inalienable right to self-determination.
The event was attended by Chairperson of the Pakistan Türkiye Parliamentary Friendship Group and Member Parliament Mr. Ali Sahin; former Turkish Minister of Family and Social Services and current Director General SESRIC Ms. Zehra Zümrüt; Members of Parliament Mr. Burhan Kayatürk and Mr. Mustafa Kaya; deputy governor Ankara Mr. ?smail Gültekin; President of the Geostrategic Foresight Institute, Gen. (R) Güray Alpar; Vice President of the Institute of Strategic Thinking (SDE) Mr. Alpar Tan; Ambassador (R) Mr. Numan Hazar; as well as representatives from the media, think tanks, academia, and civil society.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairperson Pakistan Türkiye Parliamentary Friendship Group, Member Parliament Ali Sahin
expressed condolences over the martyrdom of Pakistani security personnel in recent terrorist attacks and conveyed Türkiye’s solidarity with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism. He emphasized that the Kashmir dispute is fundamentally a matter of conscience, human rights, and justice, noting that its resolution is essential for lasting peace and stability in South Asia. Drawing a parallel, he stated that the tears of Kashmiri mothers mirror those of Anatolian mothers, that Kashmiri children are the children of Anatolia, and that Kashmiri martyrs are the martyrs of Anatolia. He reaffirmed that Türkiye would continue to stand resolutely with the Kashmiri people in their legitimate struggle for self-determination.
Member of Turkish Parliament Mr. Burhan Kayatürk recalled that the right to self-determination was promised to the Kashmiri people by the United Nations and acknowledged by Indian leadership itself, yet remains unfulfilled even after seven decades. He reiterated that the Turkish nation would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with its Kashmiri brethren in their just cause.
Member of Parliament Mr. Mustafa Kaya emphasized on the responsibility of the international community to play its due role in ending human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and ensuring the implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions to promote peace and stability in the region.
Ms. Zehra Zümrüt, Director General of SESRIC, stated that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has consistently supported the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Gen. (R) Güray Alpar highlighted that Türkiye has always supported a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with the wishes of the Kashmiri people and would continue to do so.
Mr. Alpar Tan noted the enduring historical solidarity between the peoples of Pakistan and Türkiye, expressing confidence that this unity would continue in the future. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s principled support for the Kashmiri struggle for the legitimate right to self-determination.
Ambassador (R) Numan Hazar underscored that the resolution of the Kashmir dispute is indispensable for regional and global peace. Referring to the continued inaction of the international community on the issues of Kashmir and Palestine, he emphasized that the Kashmiri people deserve the fundamental right to self-determination as guaranteed by the United Nations.
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador of Pakistan to Türkiye, Dr. Yousaf Junaid, expressed deep appreciation for Türkiye’s consistent and principled support for the Kashmiri cause. He reiterated Pakistan’s diplomatic, moral, and political support for the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people. Providing an overview of the genesis and current status of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, he drew attention to the grave human rights violations and genocidal actions in IIOJK, which have intensified since India’s unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August 2019.
Ambassador Junaid also highlighted India’s unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, warning that any suspension of the Treaty constitutes a serious violation of international law with far-reaching humanitarian, environmental, peace, and security implications. He stressed that the protection of shared natural resources and adherence to international treaty obligations are collective global responsibilities essential for peace and stability.
Describing Kashmir issue as a litmus test of the international community’s commitment to justice and human rights, Ambassador Junaid called upon global leaders and institutions to ensure that the Kashmiri people are granted their inalienable right to self-determination.
