Islamabad: The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) has announced its full support for the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC)'s call to observe 5 August 2026 as Black Day and to hold a peaceful shutdown across Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. The Party has also appealed to Kashmiris living across the globe, parliamentarians, international human rights organizations, civil society groups, media institutions, and all those who believe in justice, peace, and the right of peoples to self-determination to express solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir through peaceful demonstrations, seminars, public meetings, prayer gatherings, and awareness campaigns.
The Party's spokesperson stated that 5 August 2019 represents a significant turning point in the history of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The unilateral constitutional changes introduced by India on that date, including the revocation of the region's special constitutional status and subsequent administrative measures, were rejected by the people of Jammu and Kashmir and remain a matter of serious concern for those who view the territory as internationally disputed. According to the Party, such unilateral measures cannot determine the final status of a territory whose future has long been the subject of international attention and relevant United Nations resolutions.
The spokesperson emphasized that the Kashmir dispute is not merely a territorial issue but, in the Party's view, fundamentally concerns the political rights, human dignity, and future of millions of people. Lasting peace and stability in South Asia, the Party said, require a peaceful, inclusive, and meaningful process that reflects the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and is consistent with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
Recalling the immense human suffering associated with the conflict, the spokesperson said that the tragedy of the 1947 violence in Jammu, in which a very large number of Muslims were killed according to many historical accounts, remains a painful chapter in the region's history. Over subsequent decades, thousands of Kashmiris have lost their lives, while many others have been injured, displaced, detained, or have suffered the consequences of prolonged conflict. These human tragedies underline the urgent need for a peaceful and durable settlement.
The spokesperson expressed profound concern over the continued imprisonment of the Kashmiri political leadership and activists. Prominent leaders, including Shabir Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Masarat Alam Bhat, Aasiya Andrabi, Fahmeeda Sofi, Nahida Nasreen, and many others continue to face detention or prolonged legal proceedings. The Party also highlighted the situation of thousands of Kashmiri men, women, and young people who remain in prisons, stressing that respect for due process, human dignity, and internationally recognized human rights is indispensable for creating an environment conducive to peace.
The JKDFP called upon the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the European Union, international human rights organizations, democratic governments, and the wider international community to intensify efforts aimed at protecting human rights, ensuring independent access to assess the humanitarian situation, supporting the release of political detainees in accordance with the law, and encouraging a peaceful dialogue involving all relevant stakeholders to achieve a just and lasting settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
The spokesperson reaffirmed that the Party remains committed to peaceful political engagement and firmly believes that dialogue, respect for human rights, and adherence to international obligations offer the only sustainable path toward peace and stability in the region.
On the occasion of Black Day, the JKDFP appealed to Kashmiris worldwide and all friends of justice and peace to observe 5 August through peaceful and democratic means and to remind the international community that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains unresolved. The Party reiterated its view that a durable and lasting settlement must be achieved through a process that reflects the freely expressed will and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and contributes to lasting peace, security, and stability in South Asia.