Kashmir Martyr’s Day: World urged to take note of humanitarian crisis in IIOJK

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has urged the international community to take note of the humanitarian crisis in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as it observes Kashmir Martyr’s Day today.

He called upon global bodies including the United Nations’ human rights machinery to advocate for peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions, the President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.

“On this somber day the people of Pakistan join their Kashmiri brethren in commemorating the sacrifice of the martyrs of 1931,” the president said.

He added that even today, over 900,000-strong Indian occupation forces continue to hold the Kashmiri people hostage to perpetuate their wrongful occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.

The president also highlighted India’s illegal decision in August 2019, when the country stripped IIOJK of its special status and turned them “into a minority in their own land”, referring to the bifurcation of Article 370.

“Subsequent to these measures, hurting the sentiments of the Kashmiris, India scrapped the regional public holiday on Kashmir Martyrs’ Day, which had been observed every year since 1948. India also discontinued the traditional Guard of Honor ceremony at the Martyrs’ Graveyard,” he said.

Kashmir Martyr’s Day is held in commemoration of 22 Kashmiris, who were killed by the armed forces of Dogra Maharaja in July 1931.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference appealed to “all freedom-loving people” to conduct a march towards the Mazar-e-Shuhada at Naqshband Sahib in Srinagar.

The march symbolises the collective prayers for the departed souls, the APHC said in a statement in Srinagar.