Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday paid tribute to the martyrs of Kashmir on the 95th Youm-e-Shuhada-e-Kashmir (Kashmir Martyrs’ Day), saying their sacrifices marked a defining moment in the political awakening of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and their struggle for dignity, fundamental rights, and identity.
In a message issued on the occasion, the prime minister honoured the 22 Kashmiris who were martyred on July 13, 1931, when the Dogra administration opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in Srinagar.
Shehbaz Sharif said Kashmir Martyrs’ Day symbolises the resilience, courage, and unwavering determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, whose sacrifices have inspired generations to continue their struggle for justice and the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination.
He said the willingness of the Kashmiri people to make the ultimate sacrifice for this fundamental right continues to shape and define the historical struggle of Jammu and Kashmir.
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The prime minister said that despite heavy militarization, continued repression, and persistent human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the resolve of the Kashmiri people remains steadfast.
He noted that arbitrary detentions, suppression of political dissent, restrictions on media freedoms, and attempts to alter the demographic and political landscape of the occupied territory have been widely documented and condemned by international human rights organisations and United Nations human rights mechanisms.
Despite these challenges, he said, the people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to pursue their legitimate aspirations with determination and resilience.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said Pakistan pays homage to the courage, resilience, and sacrifices of all the martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir, adding that their enduring legacy will continue to inspire future generations in the pursuit of their right to self-determination.
He reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering political, diplomatic, and moral support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We stand in complete solidarity with their just struggle for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions,” the prime minister said.
The prime minister further stated that lasting peace and stability in South Asia remain contingent upon the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Kashmiri people and their right to determine their future in line with international law and UN resolution.
