Islamabad (GNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has paid heartfelt tribute to the 22 Kashmiris who laid down their lives in the face of Dogra forces’ fire in Srinagar in 1931, as Pakistan observes Youm-e-Shuhada-e-Kashmir on Kashmir Martyrs’ Day on 13 July each year.
In his message marking the occasion, the Prime Minister honoured the memory of those who were shot while participating in a peaceful demonstration against the Dogra administration.
Their blood, he said, did not flow in vain — it became the spark that ignited the political consciousness of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and galvanised their enduring quest for dignity, fundamental rights, and a distinct identity.
Kashmir Martyrs’ Day stands as an annual reminder of the extraordinary courage and unbreakable spirit of the Kashmiri people — qualities that have inspired successive generations to press forward in their rightful struggle for justice and the exercise of their inalienable right to self-determination. The willingness of ordinary men and women to make the ultimate sacrifice in defence of this fundamental right has remained the defining thread running through the historical struggle of Jammu and Kashmir.
The resolve of the Kashmiri people has not wavered despite the heavy military presence, ongoing repression, and persistent human rights abuses that characterise life in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Unlawful detentions, the silencing of political voices, curbs on press freedom, and deliberate efforts to reshape the demographic and political character of the occupied territory have been extensively recorded and condemned by international human rights bodies and United Nations human rights mechanisms. Against this backdrop, the people of Kashmir have continued to pursue their legitimate aspirations with steadfast determination.
On this solemn day, Pakistan bows its head in honour of all the martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir. Their sacrifice and legacy remain a source of strength and inspiration for all those who continue to work toward the realisation of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
The Government of Pakistan reaffirms its steadfast political, diplomatic, and moral commitment to the cause of the Kashmiri people. Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with them in their just struggle, which is firmly grounded in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
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The Prime Minister reiterated that enduring peace and stability across South Asia cannot be achieved without a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with those resolutions.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
