Today, on the 95th Kashmir Martyrs' Day (Youm-e-Shuhada-e-Kashmir), I pay rich tribute to the 22 Kashmiri martyrs who rendered the ultimate sacrifice while braving the indiscriminate firing of the Dogra forces in 1931.
On this sombre day, the people of Pakistan join their Kashmiri brethren in commemorating the sacrifice of the martyrs of 1931. Regrettably, Kashmiris are still struggling against India's illegal occupation. Even today, over 900,000-strong Indian occupation forces continue to hold the Kashmiri people hostage to perpetuate the wrongful occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. India's illegal and unilateral actions of 5th August 2019 were yet another attempt to strip the Kashmiri people of their distinct identity and turn them into a minority in their own land. Subsequent to these measures, and hurting the sentiments of the Kashmiris, India scrapped the regional public holiday on Kashmir Martyrs' Day, which had been observed every year since 1948. India also discontinued the traditional Guard of Honour ceremony at the Martyrs' Graveyard.
As we honour the invaluable sacrifice of the heroes of 1931 as well as all innocent Kashmiris who have laid down their lives in this just struggle, we urge India to immediately halt repression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), cease all human rights violations, release all political prisoners, lift the military siege and stop its attempts to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory.
We also urge the international community to play its due role in ensuring respect for human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and to support efforts aimed at the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
While honouring the martyrs of Kashmir, we pray that Allah Almighty grant them the highest place in Jannah and bring closer the day when the people of Jammu and Kashmir are able to exercise their right to determine their own future freely and peacefully. Pakistan will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters, steadfastly supporting their just cause.
