Kashmir Solidarity Day, an expression of strong support for the right of self-determination of Kashmiris living in Jammu and Kashmir under Indian occupation, was celebrated with a program jointly organized by the Pakistan Embassy in Ankara and the Pakistan-Turkey Cultural Association.
The program hosted by Pakistan's Ambassador to Turkey Syrus Sajjad Qazi was attended by parliamentary Pakistan-Turkey Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group Chairman Ali Şahin, as well as deputies, political party representatives and foreign mission chiefs.
QAZI: "MORALE BOOSTER FOR THE PEOPLE OF KASHMIR"
Pakistan's Ambassador to Turkey, Syrus Sajjad Qazi, in his speech at the program, stated that this special day, which is held every year on February 5, is a morale booster for the oppressed people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Underlining that the Indian occupation forces have been persecuting Kashmiris for many years, Qazi said, "For more than 70 years, while refusing to grant Kashmiris their inalienable right to self-determination, the Indian occupation forces have committed horrific human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, bulldozer destruction of their homes, use of pellet weapons to disperse peaceful gatherings, etc. are included. Since India unilaterally abolished the special status of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on 5 August 2019, the region has turned into one of the most militarized regions in the world with more than 900,000 armed forces. During the last two years, 500 Kashmiris have been killed by Indian forces. Here, February 5 reminds us of this difficult situation of Kashmiris and their just struggle for decades against oppression and cruelty."
KHAN: "WE WILL PROVIDE ALL KIND OF SUPPORT TO THE KASHMIRIS"
Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Imran Khan, said followings in his message:
"Today, we commemorate Kashmir Solidarity Day to reaffirm our unwavering support for the people of Pakistan to fight for the inalienable right of self-determination to Kashmiris. As an 'Ambassador to Kashmir', I assure you that Pakistan will continue to provide all possible support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. It is time for the international community to hold India accountable for its heinous crimes in the IIOJK and work for a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir conflict in line with the UN Security Council Resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people."
ALVI: “WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE ON THE SIDE OF THE KASHMIRLIS”
The messages of President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Arif Alvi and Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Imran Khan were read to the solidarity day attended by many guests.
In the message of President Alvi, "Today, we appreciate the unique struggle of Kashmiris to achieve their legitimate right to self-determination. The entire nation of Pakistan is on the side of the Kashmiris. We firmly believe that Kashmiris will be successful in their valiant struggle to get rid of oppression and illegal occupation. We reassure our Kashmiri brothers and sisters that we are firm in our principled stance in Jammu and Kashmir and that we will continue to stand by them in their fair struggle for self-determination. Pakistan's ultimate goal is the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir conflict in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions in line with the wishes of the Kashmiri people," it was stated.