Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s firm stance on the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, stressing that a peaceful resolution to the long-standing Kashmir dispute is vital for sustainable peace in South Asia.
In a statement commemorating Kashmir Accession Day—observed annually on July 19—the Prime Minister paid tribute to the “landmark decision” made by the people of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947. This decision involved passing a resolution in support of the state’s accession to Pakistan. He lauded the “extraordinary sacrifices” made by generations of Kashmiris in their continuous fight for freedom and self-determination. The premier stated, “Despite the presence of over a million Indian occupation forces and decades of oppression, the spirit of the Kashmiri people remains unbroken.”
Prime Minister Sharif noted that the current generation of Kashmiris has inherited the same courage and resolve that their elders demonstrated at the time of partition. He added, “Their struggle is a testament to their unwavering dedication to their identity, independence, and sovereignty.”
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that a just and peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute, in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions, is imperative for lasting peace in the region. He emphasized, “The international community must uphold its duty by ensuring that Kashmiris are granted their legitimate right to self-determination.”
Referring to ongoing human rights abuses in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Prime Minister condemned what he described as the “harsh policies” imposed by New Delhi and called for increased international scrutiny of the Kashmiri people’s plight.
Pakistan observes July 19 to remember the 1947 resolution passed by the then-leadership of Jammu and Kashmir in favor of accession to Pakistan—a historical position Islamabad continues to uphold.
