President, PM pay tribute on ‘Kashmir Martyrs Day’

ISLAMABAD: On the occasion of Kashmir Martyrs’ Day, President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the 22 individuals who lost their lives on July 13, 1931, outside Srinagar Jail. The martyrs had stood against oppression, marking a significant moment in the history of Kashmir’s struggle.

In his message, President Zardari stated that the sacrifices made by these martyrs were the beginning of a continuing struggle for the Kashmiri people. He said that the martyrs had lit a “candle of freedom” that still burns in the hearts of Kashmiris today.

He also pointed to the ongoing situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K), and said that the current actions of the Indian government in Kashmir are a continuation of the efforts to suppress the Kashmiri people’s rights.

The president described occupied Kashmir as a “military prison” under Indian control and expressed concern over India’s attempts to erase the identity of Muslims in the region.

Zardari called on the international community to take notice of what he referred to as “Indian state terrorism” in Kashmir. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Kashmiris through political, moral, and diplomatic means.

The President also called for the implementation of United Nations resolutions, stating that Kashmiris should be granted the right to self-determination as per the international framework.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his message on Kashmir Martyrs Day said that the government of Pakistan will continue to extend its political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The day serves as a reminder of the inherent steadfastness, resistance against brutal forces and unwavering resolve of the Muslims of Kashmir. The struggle for freedom, human rights and Kashmiri rights has been going on throughout Kashmir’s history,” he added.

PM Sharif said, “We salute the bravery and determination of all Kashmiri martyrs, who sacrificed their lives during decades of Indian occupation.”

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