Pakistan will continue raising the Kashmir issue at international forums and supporting the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday as Pakistan and Kashmiris worldwide observed Black Day on October 27.
In his message marking the occasion, Dar recalled the arrival of Indian troops in Srinagar on October 27, 1947, describing it as a significant event in the history of the long-running Kashmir dispute. He said the issue remained unresolved nearly eight decades later and maintained that the Kashmiri people should have the right to decide their political future.
Dar stressed that relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions remained an important basis for resolving the dispute. He called for renewed international efforts to support a peaceful settlement that reflects the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The foreign minister said the Kashmiri people’s struggle was rooted in demands for justice, peace and self-determination. He added that, in Pakistan’s view, their aspirations could not be addressed through force or coercion.
Dar also expressed concern about the detention of political leaders in Indian-administered Kashmir and called for sustained international attention to the human rights situation in the disputed territory. He noted that developments following India’s August 5, 2019, actions had brought further international attention to the issue.
Reaffirming Islamabad’s position, Dar said Pakistan would continue providing political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people. He urged the international community to play a meaningful role in safeguarding their fundamental rights and promoting diplomatic engagement towards a lasting settlement.
Black Day is observed annually on October 27 by Pakistan and Kashmiris around the world to mark the arrival of Indian troops in Srinagar in 1947. The occasion is used to highlight the unresolved dispute and renew calls for action on relevant United Nations resolutions.
Pakistan maintains that any lasting settlement should reflect the wishes of the Kashmiri people and uphold their right to self-determination. The dispute remains a longstanding issue in relations between Pakistan and India, with Islamabad continuing to call for international engagement.
