RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO : The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Colombo hosted a seminar and photo exhibition today to commemorate ‘Kashmir Black Day’, marking the decades-long denial of the right to self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The event saw participation from diverse segments of the community, including members of the Pakistani diaspora in Sri Lanka, journalists, writers, and friends of Kashmir. Messages from the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out, underscoring Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people.
The seminar featured an address by Shiraz Younas, who illuminated the dire human rights situation and alleged atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Mr. Younas highlighted the denial of the right to self-determination in 1947 as the root cause of the ongoing suffering, asserting that the region has been transformed into the “largest prison on the planet”.
Major General (R) Dr. Nayyar Naseer, HI (M), PhD, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, paid tribute to the resilience and just struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir against illegal occupation.
In his address, the High Commissioner reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast moral, political, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. He emphasized that Pakistan consistently advocates for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and in line with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. He further noted that the international community is increasingly aware of the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and can no longer remain a silent spectator.
The event successfully highlighted the historical context and the urgent need for the international community to address the protracted conflict and human rights concerns in IIOJK.
