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Islamabad — On Kashmir Solidarity Day, 5 February 2026, President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari issued a strong message reaffirming the country’s moral, political, and diplomatic support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their long-standing struggle for self-determination.
President Zardari highlighted that Pakistanis around the world observe this day to honor the resilience and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, a tradition initiated 36 years ago by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto following the historic 1989 uprising in Kashmir.
“For nearly eight decades, the valiant Kashmiri people have resisted illegal Indian occupation, enduring countless hardships while upholding their inalienable rights,” Zardari said.
The President emphasized that the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) remains a serious concern for the international community. He condemned India’s administrative and legislative measures following 5 August 2019, which include muzzling the media, detaining Kashmiri leaders, and attempting to alter the demographic composition of the region to weaken the Muslim majority.
Zardari also highlighted ongoing human rights violations, such as arbitrary detentions, collective punishments, punitive house demolitions, and restrictions on digital freedoms. He specifically pointed to the profiling of mosques and mosque committees as a deliberate attempt to intimidate the Muslim population and suppress religious freedoms under the extremist Hindutva framework.
The President warned that India’s military escalation in May 2025 underscores that lasting peace in South Asia cannot be achieved without a resolution of the Kashmir dispute. He called on the international community to go beyond statements of concern, urging India to halt human rights violations, allow access for international observers, and respect the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination as outlined in UN Security Council resolutions.
“Pakistan stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Kashmiri people until they are able to decide their future freely and impartially,” President Zardari affirmed, reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for Kashmiris politically, morally, and diplomatically.
