President Asif Ali Zardari said India took illegal steps to undermine the recognized disputed status of Occupied Kashmir and continuous campaign to change the demographic structure and political landscape of Held Valley. “Indian actions are a violation of international laws, including the resolutions of the Security Council, the 4th Geneva Convention,” the President said President Asif Ali Zardari said India's internal legislation, and court decisions cannot defeat the just struggle of the Kashmiri people. “For 7 decades, the people of Kashmir have been waiting for the fulfillment of the promises made by the United Nations,” the President said. Peace in South Asia depends on resolving Jammu & Kashmir conflict. Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif in a message on Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir said that August 5 reminded him of the dark day of exploitation when India illegally abolished the independent status of Occupied Kashmir. He saluted the unparalleled courage, courage, and bravery of the Kashmiri people fighting against the atrocities of the Indian Army.

“Kashmiri brothers and sisters are resisting every Indian attempt to convict legally,” he said. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that lasting peace in South Asia depends on resolving the Jammu and Kashmir conflict. “Instead of denying the conflicts, India has to move towards solving these conflicts,” said the Prime Minister. “Pakistan will continue to provide moral, political, and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people until they achieve their right to self-determination,” said the Prime Minister. “Kashmir issue will remain alive until Kashmiris get their rights and people from all four provinces are present in the rally. The Kashmiris are condemning a unilateral, Indian action,” he said. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said: “Five years ago today, India did an unconstitutional act by amending its constitution. Indian action is against UN resolutions and international laws. Abolishing the rights of Kashmiris by amending the constitution is a crude fantasy of India,” Dar said. “Pakistan's ties with occupied Kashmir are very deep and any such action of India is unacceptable,” he added.

“India claimed to the champion of democracy. India should announce an immediate referendum in Occupied Kashmir. India should allow international organizations to observe atrocities in Kashmir,” he said. “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is fighting for Kashmir worldwide. We have raised the issue of Kashmir at every international forum,” he said. “Israel martyred 40,000 Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine. Ishaq Dar raised the issue of Palestine and Islamophobia all over the world. India ended the special status of Kashmir to change the map. Pakistan will take every moral and diplomatic step for Kashmiris,” he said. Ishaq Dar said Kashmiris have decided to escape from India and could never silence the voice of Kashmiris. Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam said: “Thousands of people were martyred in Kashmir. India has put thousands of Kashmiris in jail. India took this step to change the population ratio. Today, there will be ceremonies in foreign missions as well.”

India violates human rights in Kashmir, says Abdul Aleem Khan Privitization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said on August 5, 2019, a heinous act of obstinacy and oppression was carried out on Held Kashmir as India has been violating human rights in Kashmir contrary to international law. President of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) said any attempt to stop the right of Kashmiris to self-determination will not be succeeded. “Pakistan will continue to provide all possible moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris. Modi government created the whole drama to destroy the identity of Muslims in Kashmir,” he said. Abdul Aleem Khan said for its nefarious purposes, the Indian Army is breaking mountains of oppression in Kashmir and no power can defeat the historical status of Jammu and Kashmir and the freedom struggle of Kashmiris. “Modi and his government's dirty tactics have been badly exposed,” the federal minister said. What is Youm-e-Istehsal? Youm-e-Istehsal is being observed in the country today to register a protest against the Indian government's illegal action of August 5, 2019, and to highlight the atrocities on the innocent Kashmiris living in the Occupied Valley.

The Hindutva-influenced BJP-led Indian regime had illegally and unilaterally abrogated Articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian constitution, revoking the Special Status of Kashmir, five years ago. A special walk from the Foreign Office to D-Chowk, Islamabad is underway to express solidarity with Kashmiris. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is leading the walk while federal ministers, lawmakers, political leaders of various parties, members of civil society, academia, students, and media persons are joining the event. One-minute silence was observed at nine in the morning and all the moving traffic came to a halt.  National anthems of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir were also played. Radio Pakistan, PTV, and other media organizations are broadcasting special transmissions, highlighting leaders of Kashmir's freedom struggle, sacrifices of Kashmiris, and Indian atrocities against innocent civilians in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu Kashmir. Indian voted UN resolutions Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarrar said India violated UN resolutions on August 5, 2019.

“India aimed to change the status of the disputed area. Pakistan has strongly raised its voice against these violations by India. Azam Nazir Tarar has approached international forums to highlight the plight of the Kashmiri people,” he said. Tarrar said Pakistan categorically rejected all the steps taken by India and Pakistan will not rest until the freedom and justice of the Kashmiri people is achieved. India will have to adopt pathway of dialogue: Ayaz Sadiq National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq message on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsam to mark the Kashmir Day said 5th August 2019 will always be remembered as a black day in history. “On August 5, 2019, India killed the rights of Kashmiri people. 5 years of lockdown imposed in Occupied Kashmir have been completed,” he said. “India will have to restore the special status of Kashmiri people. Depriving Kashmiri people of their identity is unacceptable. India will have to leave stubbornness and adopt the path of dialogue and negotiation,” Ayaz Sadiq said.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan