Shafaqna Pakistan: President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the 22 Kashmiris who lost their lives in the 1931 shootings while observing the 95th Kashmir Martyrs’ Day (Youm-e-Shuhada-e-Kashmir).
In his message marking the occasion, the president said the people of Pakistan stood in solidarity with the people of Kashmir in remembering the sacrifices of the 1931 martyrs. He added that Kashmiris continue to struggle under what he described as India’s illegal occupation.
President Zardari also said that more than 900,000 Indian security personnel remain deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that their presence continues to deny the Kashmiri people their rights and perpetuate the occupation.
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, he added.
Subsequent to these measures, and hurting the sentiments of the Kashmiris, President Zardari said 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,” President Secretariat Media Wing, in a press release, quoted the president as saying.
He also urged 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,” he added.
The president reiterated that Pakistan would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters, steadfastly supporting their just cause.
Source: Dunya News
