Pakistan reaffirms solidarity with Kashmiris on Black Day, calls for end to rights violations

Dawn · 27/10/2026، 8:10:13 AM

The country’s top leadership on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as the country observed Kashmir Black Day to mark the anniversary of the arrival of Indian forces in Srinagar on Oct 27, 1947. In a statement issued on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the arrival of Indian forces in Srinagar 79 years ago marked the beginning of a “tragic chapter” in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, which continued to cast a long shadow over the region. He expressed deep concern over the prolonged incarceration of Kashmiri political leaders, activists and human rights defenders. “Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir remains clear, consistent and principled,” he said, adding that lasting peace and stability in South Asia could not be achieved without a just and peaceful resolution of the dispute in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Paying tribute to the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, PM said countless men, women and children had made immense sacrifices in pursuit of their rights, adding that their memory would always be honoured. He reaffirmed the government and people of Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir. According to a statement issued by the Presidency, President Asif Ali Zardari said the people of IIOJK had endured decades of conflict, restrictions and denial of their fundamental rights since Oct 27, 1947. He said, “continuing restrictions on fundamental freedoms, heightened militarisation, arrests and reports of human rights violations remained a matter of serious concern and underscored the need for sustained international attention”. Dar calls for resolution in line with UN resolutions In his message, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the people of IIOJK continued to be deprived of their fundamental rights under Indian occupation, nearly eight de