Ottawa: An event to mark Youm-e-Istehsal was held at Pakistan Embassy in Moscow to highlight Indian atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir. The event highlighted 5 August 2019, a dark day when India unilaterally and illegally revoked the special status of the internationally recognized disputed territory of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The event was attended by the Russian citizens, members of the Pakistani diaspora and media representatives.
The program featured messages from the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, which were read out on the solemn occasion.
A minute of silence was observed by the Embassy to honour the pain and suffering of the people of IIOJK. A photographic exhibition was also displayed, illustrating India's grave human rights violations. The event concluded with a short documentary that provided an in-depth overview of India's unilateral and illegal actions of 5th August 2019.
Meanwhile to express solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Embassy of Pakistan in France organized a special event marking Youm-e-Istehsal.
Messages of the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan were read out on the occasion, focusing on the origin of the Kashmir dispute, and the Indian suppression of the people of IIOJK.
Speaking on the occasion Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that six years ago, India took a set of illegal and unilateral actions on 5 August 2019 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) by scrapping IIOJK's special status and ending the last remaining semblance of autonomy. India took these measures to further consolidate its control over IIOJK; undermining its internationally-recognized disputed status; and to convert Kashmiris into a dispossessed and disempowered minority in their own land.
The Jammu and Kashmir dispute is our national cause and the main pillar of Pakistan's foreign policy. Pakistan will therefore continue to call upon the international community to hold India accountable for its crimes in IIOJK.
Prominent speakers while condemning India's unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August 2019 as blatant violations of UNSC resolutions and international law the speakers demanded that the same must be reversed by the Indian Government. They denounced Indian efforts to alter the demographic composition of the occupied territory by issuance of domicile certificates to non-Kashmiris, introduction of new laws on ownership of land and redrawing electoral constituencies in IIOJK converting Kashmiris as a minority in their own land.
A large number of people representing Pakistani diaspora, academics, journalists, students and professionals participated in the event that highlighted the seven decades long legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination in accordance with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile the High Commission for Pakistan in Ottawa and the three Consulates General in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver solemnly observed the Youm-e-Istehsaal marking the sixth anniversary of India's illegal and unilateral actions of 2019, when it revoked Articles 370 and 35-A of its Constitution to strip the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region of its special status. This unilateral step was a blatant violation of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and international law.
A dignified ceremony was held at the High Commission in Ottawa to express unwavering solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). On this occasion, Special Messages of the President, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan were read out to the audience. A documentary illustrating the crimes committed in IIOJK was shown granting attendees a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by the Kashmiris in IIOJK. Photographic exhibition was also organized to display Indian atrocities. Moreover, one minute silence was also observed to express solidarity with people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle against India's illegal occupation. The events were attended by large number of Pakistani Diaspora members and friends of the Kashmir cause.
Addressing the participants on the occasion, High Commissioner Muhammad Saleem expressed that what India trumpeted as "integration," is forced annexation attempt. On August 5, 2019, India violated its own constitutional provision as Article 370-Kashmir's fragile legal shield-was revoked. Pakistan condemned it as an illegal annexation. India called it "normalcy." After six years, India's claim of reform has now exposed the failed narrative of integration.
He called upon the UN, the international community, human rights organizations and global media to take urgent notice of the grave human rights violations in IIOJK, hold India accountable for its actions and support the Kashmiri people in their rightful quest for self-determination.