The Embassy of Pakistan in Paris today observed the Kashmir Solidarity Day
with large participation of French nationals and the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora. It
was an occasion to reaffirm support and solidarity with the Kashmiri people.
Messages of the President, Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister of
Pakistan were read out at the event followed by the screening of a documentary
focusing on the origins of the Kashmir dispute and the ongoing atrocities committed by
the Indian occupation forces in IIOJK.
Prominent speakers paid homage to the exemplary bravery and sacrifices by the
people of IIOJK in their quest for freedom from Indian occupation. They condemned
India’s unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August 2019 as yet another assault against the
inalienable right of Kashmiris to self-determination. They highlighted that IIOJK
remained the most militarized zones in the world where people were living in an
environment of fear and intimidation. They urged the international community to hold
India to account for its repression of the Kashmiri people.
Speaking on the occasion Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the
people and the Government of Pakistan and the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora
observe the Kashmir Solidarity Day every year not only to renew their love and affection
with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir but also to reiterate
their commitment to their right to self-determination. She added that the Kashmir case
stood on strong political, legal and moral grounds and Pakistan would continue to
extend full political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri brothers and sisters in
realization of their just cause. The Ambassador said the human rights violations in IIOJK
remained a big challenge to the conscience of the international community and the
Kashmir dispute should be settled in accordance with the United Nations Security
Council (UNSC) resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.
Ambassador said that the Kashmiri struggle has remained alive since 1947 and
will remain so as it was a just struggle rooted in the hearts of generations of Kashmiris
and Pakistanis. She also appreciated the role played by the Pakistani and Kashmiri
community living in France in support for the cause of Kashmir and encouraged them to
teach the history of Kashmir and the Kashmiri struggle for freedom to their children and
grandchildren.
