Accession Day: Shehbaz renews commitment to Kashmiris’ right to self-determination

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering diplomatic, political and moral support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, saying the country would continue to stand by their right to self-determination.

In his message on the occasion of Kashmir’s Accession to Pakistan Day, the prime minister said the day commemorates the historic resolution adopted by the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference during its Srinagar session on July 19, 1947.

He said the unanimous resolution reflected the collective political aspirations of the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir at a defining moment in the history of the subcontinent. It expressed their desire for the state’s accession to Pakistan and called on the Dogra rulers to respect the will of the people, he added.

The prime minister said the resolution remains an important historical milestone in the political struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Shehbaz Sharif said the occasion also serves as a reminder of the enduring bonds between the people of Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir, rooted in shared history, faith, culture, geography and longstanding ties. Above all, he said, it underscores the importance of respecting the freely expressed will of the Kashmiri people.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s longstanding position, the prime minister said the country remains steadfast in its principled support for the inalienable right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as enshrined in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

He said the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute continues to have profound implications for regional peace and security, adding that lasting peace in South Asia requires a peaceful resolution of the issue in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

He also paid tribute to the courage, resilience and steadfastness of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), saying Pakistan would continue to extend unwavering diplomatic, political and moral support until they are able to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination.