ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has called on India to revoke all illegal actions taken on August 5, 2019, end its repressive measures in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and lift the ongoing media blackout in the region.
He made these remarks while addressing a rally held in observance of Youm-e-Istehsal, which marched from the Foreign Office to D-Chowk in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Dar reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to provide diplomatic, political, and moral support to the Kashmiri people until they are granted their inalienable right to self-determination.
He emphasised that Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute and cannot be resolved through unilateral legislation or court decisions within India.
Expressing concern over reports suggesting that Indian authorities may grant statehood to Jammu while keeping Kashmir Valley as a Union Territory, he condemned such moves as provocative and unacceptable.
The deputy prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, clarifying that this commitment should not be mistaken for weakness. He stressed Islamabad’s desire for friendly relations with all neighboring countries and its preference for dialogue over confrontation.
However, he warned that Pakistan’s armed forces and its people are fully capable of responding resolutely to any act of aggression, as evidenced during the recent Marka-e-Haq.
ATTAULLAH TARAR
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Kashmir is our jugular vein and “we are firmly standing with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters.”
He expressed the confidence that the day is not far when Kashmiris will be granted their inalienable right to self-determination to decide their fate.
Tarar reiterated Pakistan's commitment to continue raising voice of the Kashmiris at all world fora.
AMIR MUQAM
Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam said August 5 is the blackest day in the history of Kashmir when India had revoked special status of Kashmir to illegally change the demography of the state.
He said Kashmiris have never accepted illegal Indian occupation.
He reiterated Pakistan's diplomatic, political and moral support to the oppressed people of Kashmir for their struggle against the illegal Indian occupation.
Earlier, a rally was taken out from Foreign Office to D-Chowk in Islamabad in connection with Youm-e-Istehsal.
Federal ministers, politicians, Hurriyat leaders, people from all walks of life and a large number of students participated in the rally.