Latest news with #Youm-e-IstehsalKashmir
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Rallies mark Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir across Sindh
Schoolchildren take part in a solidarity rally on Youm-e Istehsal to raise awareness among the younger generation about the Kashmir cause. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/EXPRESS Cities across Sindh echoed with chants of solidarity as rallies and ceremonies were held to mark Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, commemorating India's revocation of Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir's special status on August 5, 2019. Citizens, students, officials, and civil society members united in a powerful display of support for the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination. In Sukkur, a massive rally led by Deputy Commissioner Nadir Shahzad Khan began at Municipal Stadium and concluded at the Sukkur Press Club. Participants, including district officials, political leaders, and students, waved Kashmiri flags and held placards reading "Kashmir will become Pakistan." DC Khan condemned India's unilateral actions and reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering support for Kashmiris. Larkana's Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University observed the day with a solemn walk from Chandka Medical College to Benazir Chowk. Under the guidance of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nusrat Shah, students and faculty highlighted the resilience of Kashmiris and held a minute of silence to honor their sacrifices. Speakers emphasised the need to amplify Kashmir's voice globally. In Hyderabad, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) organised a spirited rally led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ikram Din Ujjan. Students and teachers waved national flags and chanted patriotic slogans. Prof. Ujjan praised Pakistan's armed forces and called India's actions in Kashmir illegal and against UN resolutions, asserting that Pakistan stands firmly with its Kashmiri brethren. Meanwhile, in Matiari, a grand rally led by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Yousif Shaikh began at Taluka Hospital and ended at the Press Club. Government officials, students, and citizens joined in, chanting slogans and playing national songs. DC Shaikh condemned the ongoing oppression in Kashmir and stressed that peace in the region hinges on a just resolution of the Kashmir issue. Across Sindh, the message was clear: the people of Pakistan stand united with Kashmir, committed to justice, freedom, and international advocacy for their cause.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Lawmakers unite for Kashmir cause
The Sindh Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution to express solidarity with the people of Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and condemn Indian atrocities on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir or the Kashmir Exploitation Day. The resolution, tabled by Provincial Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, was supported by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and all parties present in the House. Addressing the Assembly, CM Murad reiterated Pakistan's longstanding stance that Kashmir is the country's lifeline, terming India's move to strip the region of its special status as a blatant violation of international laws. He said the Modi government had betrayed both its citizens and the Kashmiri people, adding that Pakistan would continue to raise its voice against this illegal occupation at every level. Murad ecalled the contributions of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, President Asif Ali Zardari, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in championing the Kashmir cause internationally. He also revealed that India had attempted to attack Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in May, but Pakistan's armed forces and the nation responded decisively, downing enemy aircraft and destroying airfields, forcing India to seek US intervention for a ceasefire. The CM also condemned Israeli atrocities in Gaza and urged the international community to take immediate action. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that despite political differences, the PPP, MQM, and PTI stood united for the cause of Kashmir. He noted that on August 5, 2019, India violated UN resolutions by revoking Kashmir's special status, and that the Indian forces had for decades subjected innocent Kashmiris to brutal repression, with thousands laying down their lives for freedom. Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi said the day must be observed to expose India's real face to the world. PPP's Jamil Soomro demanded the restoration of Kashmir's pre-August 5 status and the right to self-determination. MQM's Fauzia Hameed expressed confidence that the day was not far when Kashmiris would achieve their rights.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Youm-e-Istehsal: Pakistan reaffirms support to Kashmiris' struggle
On August 5, 2025, as Pakistan solemnly observes Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, the nation once again renews its commitment to the people of Illegally Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K). This day is not merely a symbolic gesture—it is a moral imperative, a reaffirmation of solidarity with a people whose voices have been systematically silenced under the weight of state-sponsored repression. Youm-e-Istehsal, commemorated annually, marks the sixth anniversary of India's unilateral revocation of Article 370, which stripped occupied Jammu and Kashmir of its constitutionally enshrined autonomy. This act, driven by a Hindutva-inspired ideology under the BJP-led government, was not only legally questionable but morally indefensible. It sought to dissolve the unique political identity of Kashmir, an identity forged through history, sacrifice, and unrelenting struggle. Kashmir is not simply a territorial dispute or a residual wound of partition; it is a living testament to human endurance in the face of structural violence. For over seven decades, the people of Kashmir have endured military occupation, demographic engineering, and systemic disenfranchisement—yet their resolve remains unshaken. Kashmir's story is not just one of suffering; it is one of resistance, of refusing to be erased. The roots of the Kashmir conflict lie in the turbulent aftermath of the 1947 partition of British India. Princely states were given the choice to accede to either India or Pakistan, based on geographic contiguity and the will of the people. Given its Muslim-majority population and cultural affinity with Pakistan, Jammu, and Kashmir's natural trajectory seemed clear. However, Maharaja Hari Singh's controversial accession to India—under opaque and contested circumstances—ignited a conflict that continues to haunt South Asia. In response, the United Nations adopted a series of resolutions in 1948 and 1949, explicitly calling for a free and impartial plebiscite to allow the Kashmiri people to determine their political future. That promise remains unfulfilled, buried beneath layers of realpolitik, diplomatic inertia, and global indifference. Meanwhile, India's abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, marked a seismic shift in the political landscape of Kashmir. The move dissolved Jammu & Kashmir State's nominal autonomy, replacing it with direct federal control and unleashing a cascade of repressive measures: communications blackouts, mass arrests, media censorship, and an intensified military presence. This was not an administrative reform—it was an ideological project aimed at redefining Kashmir's Muslim identity and forcibly integrating it into the Hindu nationalist vision of India. Human rights watchdogs—Amnesty Inter-national, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations—have documented widespread abuses: arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the brutal use of pellet guns, which have maimed and blinded hundreds, including women and children. The psychological scars inflicted by this campaign of terror will echo across generations. Yet, despite relentless oppression, the spirit of Kashmir endures. Resistance takes many forms: from protests and civil disobedience to poetry, music, and digital storytelling. Artists like Agha Shahid Ali and rappers like MC Kash have weaponized words against bullets, preserving the Kashmiri narrative and keeping hope alive through the power of cultural expression. In a world that often forgets, these voices are a moral compass, reminding us of Kashmir's unyielding quest for justice. Pakistan's support for the Kashmiri cause transcends political expediency; it is rooted in fundamental principles of justice, dignity, and the right of all peoples to determine their destiny. At the United Nations General Assembly, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and other international forums, Pakistan has consistently raised its voice against India's transgressions and in defence of the Kashmiri people. The observance of August 5, 2025, is not merely ceremonial—it is a manifestation of Pakistan's enduring solidarity. Through policy statements, awareness campaigns, and nationwide rallies, the Pakistani state—particularly the Punjab government—has worked to keep the Kashmir issue at the forefront of national consciousness. The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has played a particularly commendable role in highlighting the plight of the Kashmiri people. Her government's efforts—ranging from public advocacy to the provision of scholarships to Kashmiri students—reflect a serious and sustained commitment to turning words into action. By institutionalizing support, Punjab has set an example for how provincial governments can meaningfully contribute to national causes. Such initiatives not only uplift the morale of the oppressed but also serve to remind the international community that Kashmir is not forgotten. The political, moral, and humanitarian support extended by Pakistan ensures that Kashmir remains a living issue in global discourse. Despite the gravity of the situation, the international community's response has often been tepid, if not complicit. While geopolitical crises elsewhere—such as in Ukraine—elicit swift and concerted action, Kashmir is met with equivocation and diplomatic inertia. This selective moral outrage undermines the very principles upon which the international order claims to stand. The United Nations, in particular, must reckon with its failure to enforce its resolutions. The legitimacy of international law cannot be selectively applied. The right to self-determination, enshrined in the UN Charter, is not a privilege to be granted—it is a fundamental human right. Likewise, the global media has a responsibility to pierce through the fog of propaganda and present the unvarnished truth. Human rights organizations must go beyond issuing statements—they must push for tangible action, diplomatic accountability, and sustained global attention. Youm-e-Istehsal is more than a day of remembrance—it is a call to conscience. It urges us to recognize that the Kashmiri struggle is not about land or borders, but about freedom, dignity, and the inalienable right to live without fear. Kashmir's yearning for freedom is not a separatist impulse—it is a plea for justice that the world must hear. As we mark August 5, 2025, let us reaffirm our belief that the shadows of occupation will not last forever. One day, the silence of the valleys will be broken not by gunfire, but by the call to prayer echoing in a land free from tyranny. The dawn of freedom will come—because history, no matter how long it is delayed, bends ultimately toward justice.
