President, PM Shehbaz, ministers express solidarity with Kashmiris on Accession to Pakistan Day

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Accession to Pakistan Day reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination and called for resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations resolutions.

President Zardari said the occasion represented the historic aspirations of the Kashmiri people and pointed out the age-old historical, cultural and spiritual links between Pakistan and Jammu & Kashmir. He said the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination should be honored and urged the international community to take notice of alleged human rights violations in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

He urged the United Nations to ensure the implementation of its relevant resolutions, underlining that Pakistan will continue offering diplomatic, political and spiritual support to the Kashmiri people. “The president further added that lasting peace and prosperity in South Asia is linked with a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that July 19 is marked every year as Accession to Pakistan Day to remember the resolution unanimously adopted by the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference in Srinagar on July 19, 1947. He said the resolution was a reflection of the collective political aspirations of the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir and still remains a historic milestone in the political fight of the Kashmiri people.

The prime minister said the day symbolised the everlasting links between Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir based on common history, faith, culture, geography and mutual affinity. He reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support for the Kashmiris’ inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, adding that durable peace in South Asia is contingent upon a peaceful resolution of the dispute in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, while addressing party workers in LA-36 Jammu-3 in Muzaffarabad, said that the importance of the sacrifices of Kashmiri migrants is immense and their sacrifices contributed to the freedom being enjoyed today. He termed the impending elections as an election associated with the Kashmir struggle and preservation of Kashmiri people.

Khawaja Asif said the relationship between Pakistan and Kashmir was based on sacrifices and paid gratitude to the armed forces, martyrs and veterans. He said Pakistan’s link with Kashmir continues to face challenges despite the historic commitment stated by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.