NNA - To mark Youme-e- Istehsal-e Kashmir (5th August 2024), Embassy of Pakistan in Beirut organized a Webinar, which was attended by Lebanese academics, think tanks and members of Pakistani community.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Salman Athar provided a brief historical background of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute. He highlighted that the UN Security Council had adopted several resolutions calling for a free, fair, and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices to resolve the dispute. Instead of holding the plebiscite, as agreed in the Security Council, India resorted to the military subjugation of Jammu & Kashmir.
Ambassador Athar also discussed India's illegal and unilateral action of abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A of its Constitution and the subsequent wave of repression by the Indian Army against innocent Kashmiris. He called upon the international community to take notice of the reign of terror unleashed by Indian forces and to support the Kashmiri people's unalienable right to self-determination, as promised by the international community more than seven decades ago. The Ambassador also reiterated the resolve of the Government and people of Pakistan to render utmost moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir in their just struggle for realization of their inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in various United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The other speakers, while expressing solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir discussed in detail India’s attempts to change the demographic pattern in IIOJK. Furthermore, the speakers highlighted the gross human rights violations by Indian forces in IIOJK and unprecedented restrictions on fundamental freedoms being faced by Kashmiris.
Furthermore, the Ambassador invited prominent media personalities, journalists, anchorpersons and think tanks at Pakistan House, during which they were briefed about the history and background of the Kashmir issue as well as and atrocities committed by Indian army following the revoking of special status of IIOJK on August 5, 2019. Besides, official documentaries on Kashmir dispute and plight of innocent Kashmiris were also shown.
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